The hallowed trophy named after Protestant Sam Maguire

August 04 2007 04:47 AM

MANY will be surprised to know that one of the GAA's most famous names was also a Protestant.

The cup which every GAA player seeks to hold aloft, the Sam Maguire, is named after a Protestant who has become synonymous with the game.

Born into a Church of Ireland family, Maguire rose through the ranks of the GAA, holding the position of chairman of the London county board before turning his attentions to the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

Having died of tuberculosis in 1927, his friends and the people of Dunmanway, where he was from, sought to commemorate the man who played an important part in the war of independence. A cup was presented to the GAA, with Kildare the first county to win the Sam Maguire in 1928.

Former GAA president Jack Boothman (above) became the first Protestant to hold the office when he was elected in April 1993. In 1991, Peter Withnell, a Down full-forward and Protestant, won an All-Ireland medal with his county.

Darren Graham claims he is the only person in Fermanagh who is actively Protestant and playing the sport. "l am the only true Protestant," he said.