McNamara Cup

The McNamara Cup has been the premier rugby trophy in Counties Manukau and is fought over and presented annually for over for 65 years.

The history of the Cup goes back to 1955 when City Ramblers from Waiuku won the very first edition of the Counties Manukau club competition and the McNamara Cup was presented for the first time.

“TP (Thomas Patrick) McNamara was my great grandfather – my grandma Phyllis McNaughten was a McNamara,” ex-Pukekohe player Brad McNaughten told Counties Sports Hub.

“TP was born 1885 and was one of 14 children. The family grew up in the McNamara Homestead at Whiriwhiri near Otaua just outside Waiuku, where the homestead still remains to this day.

“TP passed away in 1954 at age 69 and his wife Alberta donated the original cup in 1955 to the newly formed South Auckland Counties Union and it’s been like that ever since. Read more