The Guaire Cup
The Guaire Cup - 1951
The Guaire Cup was made in Dublin by Awright and Marshall in 1951. Crafted from sterling silver with exceptional celtic design and the inscription “pobul an Guiri do braon an corn seo i lei iománuicta i teo an Cháir i teo na Gaillime. Ta sé le leit i oir camana ar Páirc Colmain Naomha, Gort Inse Guaire gach bliain i oir an oa fuirinn as Co na Chláir an oa fuirinn as Co na Gaillime a bfearr a crutuis i gcomortaisi an conntae.
It translates as: the people of Gort presented this cup for hurling in County Clare and County Galway. It is to be competed for in St Colman's Park, Gort each year between the two teams in County Clare and the two teams in County Galway who provide best in county competitions.
Preparations for the Inaugural Guaire Cup Competition – April 1951
The Connacht Tribune reported on April 2nd 1951 of a “strong body of voluntary helpers assembled for the purpose of making blocks with the association's new concrete block making machine.” The many blocks were being used to erect a sideline of seats for the estimated 1,000 spectators for the up-coming Guaire Cup tournament. The committee were determined that nothing would be left undone to make St Colman's Park, Gort ready for the tournament.
The same publication followed up with a report on April 28th 1951; “block making contiues to occupy the evenings of the energetic committee.....Gort will be the Mecca of hurling enthusiasts from Clare and Galway.”
The following year on March 29th 1952, the St Colman's Park Committee made arrangement to hold the much anticipated Guaire Cup Tournament on East Sunday and appointed the following stewards: T Considine, F Murry, E Roche, P O'Connor covering the gate with J J Coen, P O'Shaughnessy, F Kelly and M Brennan assigned to field duties.
The Inaugural Guaire Cup Tournament
The Clare Champion reported on the first Guaire Cup semi-final, Gort versus Whitegate. The Clare side were the hot favourites but Gort proved a surprise with a full time score of Whitegate 2-6 to Gort 2-6.
The 2nd semi-final was between Newmarket-on-Fergus versus Castlegar which ended 9-6 versus 6-1 in favour of Castlegar.
The replay of the Gort v Whitegate pairing brought victory to Whitegate (4-4 to Gort's 2-3) who qualified to meet Castlegar in the final.
Guaire Cup Final - 22nd April 1952, St Colman's Park, Gort
Castlegar 3-11 to Whitegate 4-3
The Clare Champion reported; “Castlegar were worthy winners of the Guaire Cup when they beat Whitegate in the final in Gort on Sunday in a game that reached great heights at times.”
Almost 60 years on an the Guaire Cup is still competed for between teams in Clare and Galway. Recent winners include Feakle 1987, Castlegar 2004, Gort 2005 and Sixmilebridge, 2006.
The Guaire Cup was made in Dublin by Awright and Marshall in 1951. Crafted from sterling silver with exceptional celtic design and the inscription “pobul an Guiri do braon an corn seo i lei iománuicta i teo an Cháir i teo na Gaillime. Ta sé le leit i oir camana ar Páirc Colmain Naomha, Gort Inse Guaire gach bliain i oir an oa fuirinn as Co na Chláir an oa fuirinn as Co na Gaillime a bfearr a crutuis i gcomortaisi an conntae.
It translates as: the people of Gort presented this cup for hurling in County Clare and County Galway. It is to be competed for in St Colman's Park, Gort each year between the two teams in County Clare and the two teams in County Galway who provide best in county competitions.
Preparations for the Inaugural Guaire Cup Competition – April 1951
The Connacht Tribune reported on April 2nd 1951 of a “strong body of voluntary helpers assembled for the purpose of making blocks with the association's new concrete block making machine.” The many blocks were being used to erect a sideline of seats for the estimated 1,000 spectators for the up-coming Guaire Cup tournament. The committee were determined that nothing would be left undone to make St Colman's Park, Gort ready for the tournament.
The same publication followed up with a report on April 28th 1951; “block making contiues to occupy the evenings of the energetic committee.....Gort will be the Mecca of hurling enthusiasts from Clare and Galway.”
The following year on March 29th 1952, the St Colman's Park Committee made arrangement to hold the much anticipated Guaire Cup Tournament on East Sunday and appointed the following stewards: T Considine, F Murry, E Roche, P O'Connor covering the gate with J J Coen, P O'Shaughnessy, F Kelly and M Brennan assigned to field duties.
The Inaugural Guaire Cup Tournament
The Clare Champion reported on the first Guaire Cup semi-final, Gort versus Whitegate. The Clare side were the hot favourites but Gort proved a surprise with a full time score of Whitegate 2-6 to Gort 2-6.
The 2nd semi-final was between Newmarket-on-Fergus versus Castlegar which ended 9-6 versus 6-1 in favour of Castlegar.
The replay of the Gort v Whitegate pairing brought victory to Whitegate (4-4 to Gort's 2-3) who qualified to meet Castlegar in the final.
Guaire Cup Final - 22nd April 1952, St Colman's Park, Gort
Castlegar 3-11 to Whitegate 4-3
The Clare Champion reported; “Castlegar were worthy winners of the Guaire Cup when they beat Whitegate in the final in Gort on Sunday in a game that reached great heights at times.”
Almost 60 years on an the Guaire Cup is still competed for between teams in Clare and Galway. Recent winners include Feakle 1987, Castlegar 2004, Gort 2005 and Sixmilebridge, 2006.
