Liam MacCarthy cup returns to Kilkenny for some TLC
The Liam MacCarthy cup has returned to familiar soil in Kilkenny for some repairs.
The All-Ireland Hurling Championship trophy has been sent back to the goldsmith who made the cup in 1992.
James Mary Kelly (JMK) Gold and Silversmiths made the trophy at their workshop in Castle Yard and every year the trophy returns to its birthplace for some TLC before the All-Ireland final.
The design is based on a medieval Irish drinking vessel called a mether and the original cup was first presented in 1923.
The GAA commissioned a new trophy in 1992 and the first "new" cup was won by Kilkenny.
In 2010, the GAA commissioned JMK again to produce another replica of the trophy, the third edition, although this is only used for marketing purposes.
The All-Ireland winners are allowed to keep the cup for one year until the following year's final and the captain of the team receives a model replica.