KERRY FOOTBALL ICON Mick O’Dwyer and Tipperary hurling legend Jimmy Finn will be honoured by the Gaelic Players Association at the annual Former Players Event in Croke Park next Saturday.
O’Dwyer and Finn will be presented with prestigious GPA Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution to football and hurling at a gathering of over 300 former county players.
Borrisoleigh native Finn (84) won three All-Irelands with Tipperary in the 1950s and lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup as captain in 1951 at just 20 years of age.
He also won six National League medals, three Munster titles and two Railway Cups before an eye injury brought his career to an end.
O’Dwyer’s retirement from inter-county management last year brought six decades of involvement in the game to a close.
His extraordinary legacy as manager, however, was preceded by his four All-Ireland medals, 11 Munster titles and seven National League successes on the field of play.
Along with the Lifetime Achievement Awards, the GPA Former Players Group, chaired by Tony Hanahoe, will also recognise All-Ireland winning hurling and football teams from five decades – 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005 – with players from each squad present next Saturday.
The Former Players Event, which is open to all former county hurlers and footballers, is now in its third year and was initiated by the GPA to help develop a county player alumni.
The GPA currently assists former players through its development programme particularly in the areas of career development, return to education bursaries, career development, counselling services, medical assistance and hardship support.
Any former players interested in attending or sponsors who wish to support a table are asked to contact Karen Thorpe in the GPA on 018575686 or send an email to formerplayers@gaelicplayers.com.
The event begins at 2.30pm in the Hogan Suite.
The GPA Former Players Group includes Tony Hanahoe (chairman), Sean Walsh, Vinnie Glennon, Seamus Darby, Joe Connolly, Donal O’Grady, Declan O’Loughlin, Pat Mangan and Mick Galvin.
