The Na-Bock-Lish Trophy
Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 2003, p 60
This trophy with the most unusual name used to be presented to the winners of the New York senior football championship. When the championship was organised for the first time in the early 1900s, a trophy was sought. At the time there was a popular cigar on sale in the city known as 'Na-Bock-Lish'. One of the directors of the firm was Peter Quinn, a blunt Irishman with a heart of gold. He was approached by New York G.A.A.
'What do you want,' he asked,
'We came to see you about a trophy for an organisation which is just established.'
'How much would it cost?'
'About three hundred.'
'What did you say?'
'Five hundred.'
'I'll take the matter up with the other members.
But I'll guarantee you a real trophy.'
And a real trophy it turned out to be with the name of the cigar inscribed on it The arrangements were that a team had to win it three years in succession before it became the permanent property of the club. Tipperary won successive championships in 1926,1927,1928 and 1929 (also in 1931) and claimed the cup. One of the outstanding players on the team, and captain on a couple of occasions, was Tommy Armitage of Templemore. Before coming to New York in 1926 he had played football with Tipperary. He was on the five successful teams mentioned above and he captained the New York football team that travelled to Ireland for the Tailteann Games in 1932. He was given the cup. On his retirement from work in New York he returned to Templemore, where he lived until his death. His son, Tom, who was born in New York but who lived most of his life in Ireland, recently presented the famous trophy to Lar na Pairce, as well as a framed picture of the great Tipperary team which won it.