In 2010, José Mourinho guided Inter Milan to the Champions League final, where his side faced off against Beyern Munich in Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid.
Two goals from Argentinian striker, Diego Milito helped Inter to a 2-0 victory as the Italian giants lifted their third European Cup.
Legends of the game such as Samuel Eto’o, Esteban Cambiasso, Wesley Sneijder, Walter Samuel, and captain, Javier Zanetti got their hands on the famous trophy.
This trophy was made all the more special by Inter also winning Serie A that season as well as the Coppa Italy, making them the first and only Italian team to even win the treble.
Now, 13 years later, that very trophy is in County Laois.
Having been damaged subsequent to their winning of the Champions League, Inter commissioned a new trophy, auctioning off the original.
The man who purchased the cup has connections here in Laois, and asked local welder, Noel O’Connor to restore the trophy to its former glory.
When Noel told his brother, Enda, the story, Enda decided to bring the trophy to the football club in Portlaoise, where he coaches underage.
“I probably didn’t understand how big of a deal it was at the time,” Enda said.
“But all of a sudden, when people in the town knew that I had it, every coach and every child wanted to see it.
“So it’s been doing the rounds in the soccer club since last week until every team gets their hands on it and gets the photographs.
“That’s all the Portlaoise teams, from academy up to senior, so you can imagine how many teams they have.”
The trophy is expected to be back in the hands of its new owner next week.
Check out some great pictures from it below:
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