Croke Park authorities have been blasted for refusing to erect a statue in honour of Liam McCarthy, after who the All-Ireland hurling championship cup is named.

Dubliner Sean Meaney, who is a distant relative of McCarthy, is leading a campaign to have a permanent memorial erected in Cork to honour one of the GAA's most famous names, but the Association are not prepared to fund the project.

Meaney told the Irish Daily Mirror: "I've written to the GAA twice, but they have told me they have no interest in getting involved.

"I don't understand why the GAA is so indifferent about Liam McCarthy. I have a sneaky feeling it's because he was born in London, even though his parents emigrated there after being evicted from their home in Ballygarvan, Co. Cork.

"If that's the reason, then it's petty and small-minded. He may have been born there, but he was Irish through and through."

He added: "It would cost about €40,000 to get a statue erected in Cork city which is small change to a wealthy organisation like that."

The GAA has responded by saying that having McCarthy's name on hurling's most coveted trophy is recognition enough of his contribution to the sport.

"Liam McCarthy made a massive contribution to the GAA and that is reflected in the fact that he has the senior hurling trophy named after him," GAA spokesman Alan Milton said.

"We get loads of requests for statues and there is a school of thought that you have to draw the line somewhere." Tweet

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