Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy Cups won't be going anywhere this winter

December 05, 2020

The Sam Maguire Cup

GAA President John Horan has confirmed that the Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy Cups will not be released to the winning teams in 2020 over fears they would be "a focus of crowds gathering."

Waterford are aiming to end a 79-year wait for an All-Ireland SHC title but the Deise will not have that luxury of taking home the Liam MacCarthy Cup if they beat Limerick in the final on Sunday week. The same goes for the Cavan, Mayo and Tipperary footballers as they bid for long-awaited Sam Maguire Cup glory. Speaking on the Late Late Show last night, Horan also said there will be no official All-Ireland homecomings due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"The country is still in a pandemic and we have to be careful," Horan explained.

"The cups will not be leaving Croke Park. They'll be retained in Croke Park. It's our concern that the cups will be a focus of crowds gathering and extra social activity going on around the cups.

"We feel we have to be responsible about this. The clubs will get to see them and the schools will get to see them in time, but we just feel that the way the country is and the way the pandemic is resting at the moment that it would be better if we retain them. There'll be no homecoming for the winning teams either."


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