Sam back in safe hands after scare
AN attempted abduction plot was foiled in London last week after a quick-witted
Kerryman confronted a couple of Cork hijackers who were trying to escape
with Ireland’s most famous sports trophy — the Sam Maguire.
The cup was making a special appearance at the Kerry Association Ball
at the Galtymore in Cricklewood when the incident occurred. But thanks
to the intervention of John Heaphy from Listowel, the hugely-coveted Sam
Maguire is still in safe hands.
John spoke of his relief at the fact Sam is safe at home in The Kingdom.
He said: “The Sam would probably have turned up eventually but it
would have been very embarrassing. And to be honest the lads have played
too much fantastic football this year for someone to come along and do
something like this. I thought, enough is enough.”
John was making his way home by taxi from the event when he noticed three
people — two men and a woman — leaving the hotel with Sam.
The Kerryman jumped from his taxi and challenged the three, who said they
had authority to take the trophy elsewhere. But rather than take their
word for it he rang his brother, who happened to be sitting alongside
Jack O’Connor inside the venue.
He said: “Within seconds Jack came running out the door and the
matter was very quickly put to rest.”
Hearing of the incident one other Kerryman said: “Well it’s
no surprise really. It’s the closest Cork people will ever get to
the trophy — taking it is the only way they’d get their hands
on it!”
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