THE town had another visit last week from the FA Cup, thanks to member of the local Arsenal Supporters Club, Tony Monaghan.
Again, it wasn’t the ‘real’ one (see previous story here) that was presented to Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen earlier this year in Wembley, but a replica trophy.
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“There are three FA Cups,” Tony explained. “There’s the one that never leaves Wembley, ever! The second one stays at the Emirates and the third, this one, which does the rounds all over the world,” said Tony.
Tony explained the cup has visited businesses, hospitals, pubs and clubs all over town and always gets a great reception. It was in the Austin Stacks clubhouse last Sunday morning before the big game against Ballincollig, where it met the ‘Bishop’.
Rockies got a chance to take photos with the iconic trophies before Tony had to hand back the silverware on Tuesday.
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Francie Breen with the Bishop Moynihan Cup and the FA Cup at the Austin Stacks Clubhouse on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanKevin Healy, Jonathan Lynch and Paul O’Connor with the Bishop Moynihan Cup and the FA Cup at the Austin Stacks Clubhouse on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanFrank, DJ and John Murphy with the Bishop Moynihan Cup and the FA Cup at the Austin Stacks Clubhouse on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanKevin O’Carroll with the Bishop Moynihan Cup and the FA Cup at the Austin Stacks Clubhouse on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
A TROPHY more used to Wembley Way came closer to the Dingle Way over the weekend…or so it would seem.
Arsenal fans congregated at The Greyhound Bar when the FA Cup came to the famous watering hole…except it wasn’t really the cup!
The Arsenal Tralee Supporters Club were the masterminds behind bringing down a replica of the FA Cup to celebrate the Gunners victory against Hull City in the final this year. It was also to celebrate the club’s own ten year anniversary.
“The cup is bringing so much enjoyment to people. It’s bringing so much love and happiness and that’s what football is all about,” said Tony Monaghan of the Arsenal Tralee Supporters Club.
“We’re not saying to people that it is the cup and we’re not saying it isn’t. We’re just allowing people a chance to enjoy it and if they think it is, what’s the problem with that? At the end of the day it’s bringing happiness and that’s the most important thing.” Tony said
Tony is a originally from London, but has been living in Tralee the last 23 years.
When pressed on how they acquired the replica gong, Tony was tight-lipped.
“That we are keeping a secret, it wasn’t cheap to get it here by any means,” he said.
On Friday the cup found its way to Holy Family and Balloonagh primary schools. It also made flying visits to both children’s wards of Kerry General and Bon Secours hospitals. It was even a special surprise guest at a wedding on Saturday.
As can be seen in the photos, the cup really is an excellent replica. Many people would be forgiven for thinking it was the real deal.
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Arsenal fans celebrating the arrival of the replica FA Cup to the Greyhound Bar last Friday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Erin Delaney and Tony Monaghan with their hands on the replica FA Cup in the Greyhound Bar last Friday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Some members of the Tralee Arsenal Supporters Club with a replica of the FA Cup in the Greyhound Bar last Friday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Arsenal fans with the replica FA Cup in the Greyhound Bar last Friday night were, from left: Brian Ndebele, John Opoola and Rashid Hamza. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
