The Unchanged and Unchangeable
Archbishop and Patriot
The Joy and Pride of
The sea-divided Gael
This slight tribute
From Three of them 1886
Archbishop Thomas Croke is known for his many contributions to the GAA, and it is perhaps unsurprising to learn that he is the ‘Croke’ in the ‘Croke Fennelly Cup’. What is, perhaps, surprising, is that this was an indirect contribution, made via his successor as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Archbishop Thomas Fennelly.
Also surprising is the shape of the cup itself: a solid silver jug, lined with the finest porcelain, swinging on two silver uprights that terminate in an artistic handle, with two silver goblets on its sides, and a silver ewer beneath. It is an unusual shape for a sporting trophy, but perhaps a little less unusual, when it is considered that it was not originally intended for that purpose.
The cup was presented to Archbishop Croke by three Irish-Americans, of whom no information is available, as a tribute.
In 1909, Archdeacon Innocent Ryan, pastor of Fethard, organised a tournament, with the aim of paying off the debt incurred by the renovation of the local church, and the building of a parochial residence. Archbishop Fennelly donated this cup to the tournament, which featured teams from 8 counties.
The cup could be won outright by any club who won it three years in a row, and Thurles Sarsfields did so, in 1909, 1910, and 1911.
