Limerick return Liam MacCarthy cup to Kilkenny for some TLC
THE LIAM MacCarthy cup has been sent back to Kilkenny, but not for long.
The All-Ireland Hurling Championship trophy has been sent back to the goldsmith who made the cup in 1992 for some repairs.
James Mary Kelly (JMK) Gold and Silversmiths made the trophy at their workshop in Castle Yard and every year the trophy returns to its birthplace for some TLC before the All-Ireland final.
However, the cup has gone for an early visit this year to have a "little bit of work done", according to Seamus McNamara, Limerick GAA chairman.
The trophy was in need of some repair work and Seamus says it is not quite ready to return to its rightful home just yet.
The design is based on a medieval Irish drinking vessel called a mether and the original cup was first presented in 1923, to the Limerick team who defeated Dublin.
The GAA commissioned a new trophy in 1992 and the first "new" cup was won by Kilkenny.
In 2010, the GAA commissioned JMK again to produce another replica of the trophy, the third edition, although this is only used for marketing purposes.
The All-Ireland winners are allowed to keep the cup for one year until the following year's final and the captain of the team receives a model replica.