As sporting enthusiasts across the country gear up for the launch of the GAA season this weekend, a rare and exciting collection of historic GAA memorabilia is to go under the hammer on Tuesday May 19th.
The auction, which is sure to excite any GAA fan or collector, includes significant memorabilia of the GAA in its early stages including, the match sliothar from the historic 1913 Kilkenny v Tipperary All-Ireland Hurling final, a 9ct gold All-Ireland Hurling medal from Clare‘s first All-Ireland Hurling victory in 1914, and the John T. Power All-Ireland Medal Collection from Kilkenny featuring three all Ireland medals from 1907 – 1913.
The 750 lot sale, which also features other items including rare books, gives GAA fans an opportunty to own a piece of sporting history. The auction is being held by Ireland’s leading purveyor of fine art, rare books and manuscripts, Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers, Kilkenny.
Speaking about the auction, George Fonsie Mealy, Director of Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers said, “The GAA has such an important place in the hearts of Irish people, both at home and abroad, and items like these are incredibly rare. We are honoured to be entrusted with these items and to be able to give an opportunity for any GAA collector, or indeed, fan, to own a piece of sporting history at this forthcoming sale.”
Fonsie Mealy continued, “It is especially apt that this auction will take place just days after the launch of the 2015 season. Some of the items for auction are unlike anything that has every been brought to the market before. For example, one of the lots, the match sliothar, was retained by Kilkenny Goalkeeper John T. Power, after the 1913 All-Ireland Hurling Final, as a memento to mark Kilkenny’s first three in a row, and also the first ever 15 a side All-Ireland final, at the newly named “Croke Park. We have already had great interest from fans and collectors at home, and internationally, and we are looking forward to a fantastic auction”
Details on a number of the items for auction are outlined below and images are attached. Viewing will take place on Tuesday, 19th May from 10.30am at Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, Co Kilkenny. For more information on the items up for auction, visit www.fonsiemealy.ie
