Councillor Michael Smyth, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, with the 'Sam Maguire Cup' at the Jackie Clarke Collection, Ballina.

Mayo's first citizen gets his hands on 'Sam' - and you can too!

Visit the Jackie Clarke Collection for a chance to lift the famous trophy

The cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Michael Smyth, was presented with an early chance to hold 'Sam Maguire' before Saturday's All-Ireland final between his home county and Tyrone.

Alas, it wasn't quite the real deal but a very convincing replica of the iconic trophy – and it will be on display in the Jackie Clarke Collection, Ballina, this evening for members of the public to hold aloft.

Councillor Smyth was attending a Corporate, Education, Culture, Heritage and Library Services Strategic Policy Committee meeting this morning in the Jackie Clarke Collection, which is opening until 8 p.m. this evening to give visitors the chance to lift the cup.

Thanks to local collector Ray Holmes, the replica Sam Maguire Cup is on display for this one day only at the Ballina museum.

“Feel free to take a picture with the cup and experience our Mayo GAA exhibition as we open late,” said the Jackie Clarke Collection in a social media post.

Meanwhile, the Quinn-Syron family have also shared GAA memorabilia of the famous Fr. Peter Quinn, a member of the Mayo team that won back-to-back All-Irelands in 1950 and '51.

Included in the display is his medal collection and vast photo archive, while Behy NS has allowed the museum to share the All Ireland football from 1951 which Fr. Quinn gifted to the school.

The GAA exhibition at the Jackie Clarke Collection runs until Saturday – the day of the All-Ireland final between Mayo and Tyrone – and is a great opportunity to view a wonderful collection of GAA history.