'Like a child at Christmas': Iconic European soccer trophy to visit Limerick
Europa League trophy coming to Squire McGuire’s Pub in Lower Shannon Street on Saturday, December 6
ONE of the most famous trophies in world soccer will make an appearance in the city centre next month - and fans will be able to get their picture taken with it.
The Europa League trophy will be coming to Squire McGuire’s Pub in Lower Shannon Street on Saturday, December 6 as part of the Christmas party organised by Limerick-based fans of English giants Tottenham Hotspur, or ‘Spurs’.
Of course, the London club are the current holders of the trophy - official name UEFA Cup - after beating Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao, Spain, last May.
Created in 1972, the 67-centimetre trophy weighs 15kg and is silver on a yellow marble plinth, with the flags of all the Uefa member nations inserted.
Paddy Hartnett, the chairman of the Limerick Spurs Supporters’ Club admits he was “like a child at Christmas” when he was able to secure the trophy for the festive celebration.
It’s coming to Limerick, thanks to the Dublin Spurs Supporters Club, whose chairperson Mags Molloy has organised it to be loaned for the night. The Christmas party kicks off at 2pm on the Saturday, to allow Spurs fans to watch the club’s English Premier League game against Brentford. Then, from 5.30pm, the trophy will be on display.
Fans of any club - or indeed none - will be able to get a professionally-taken photograph with the iconic cup in return for a €10 donation to charity. Paddy says he is in the process of identifying a number of local mental health charities to donate funds to.
“I’m heavily involved in suicide awareness. Especially, at this time of year, it is more prominent, as people are under a hell of a lot more stress,” he said.
Paddy stressed all supporters are welcome - with the exception of possibly Arsenal fans!
Alongside Tottenham Hotspur. a number of other clubs cross-channel have won the Europa League/Uefa Cup, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Ipswich Town and Chelsea.
The final of the competition has taken place at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium twice: in 2011 when FC Porto won, and last year when Atalanta triumphed.