WATERFORD GAA CHIEFS have confirmed that five medals that were ordered for last year’s victorious All-Ireland minor hurling team were incorrectly engraved.

The Deise youngsters ended the county’s 65-year wait for glory in that competition when they defeated Galway in last September’s final.

As is normal practice the Waterford county board received 24 official All-Ireland medals before then ordering additional medals for the remaining members of the panel.

But controversy ensued when five of them were incorrectly engraved and the Waterford county board last night issued a statement where they apologised for ‘any embarrassment caused’.

The official statement reads:

“Waterford County Board received 24 official All Ireland Final winners’ medals for our minor hurlers from Croke Park as is the norm for minor All Ireland winning teams.

“Waterford County Board ordered additional medals to ensure that all members of the minor panel received winner’s medals.

“Unfortunately 5 of the additional medals were incorrectly stamped / engraved and will have to be replaced. As soon as Waterford County Board became aware of the issue, we contacted the supplier with a view to correcting the problem.

“Waterford County Board regret any embarrassment caused to any panel member who received an incorrectly stamped medal and we can assure them that they will receive the correct medal as soon as we have them.

“Waterford County Board would also like to point out that All Ireland winner’s medals cost in excess of €300 each and the value of the additional medals being reported on social media is totally inaccurate.”

Here’s what it means to win a first All-Ireland minor hurling title in 65 years

Waterford end 65-year wait for All-Ireland minor title