The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) are delighted to announce the details of Lifetime Achievement Awards to be presented at the GPA Hurling and Camogie Legends Lunch at Croke Park on the eve of the All-Ireland Hurling Final weekend.
The event is held in conjunction with the GPA’s Official Charity Partner for 2023 the Jack and Jill Foundation.
Antrim’s Eddie Donnelly is the Hurling Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Donnelly is the holder of 8 Antrim county titles with Ballycastle, incredibly winning the first of those as a 16-year-old but having to wait another 11 years to add his second. He was part of their 3-in-a-row team from 1978 to 1980, going to reach the 1980 All-Ireland club final where Galway’s Castlegar came out on top. Eddie’s his inter-county career spanned 20 years and during that time he picked up an All-Ireland intermediate medal, Ulster titles, a Division 2 league winners medal and junior honours.
Cork’s Sandie Fitzgibbon, widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to play camogie will also be honoured for her outstanding service to the game. A six-time All-Ireland winner, Sandie was selected on camogie’s Team of the Century in 2004. Her All-Ireland wins span 15 season with her first medal coming in 1982 and her last in 1997. She captained Cork to their 1992 win against Wexford, a year in which she also named Player of the Year. That’s an accolade she also picked up in 1995. She also won 7 National League medal and 2 inter-pro medals. With her club Glen Rovers, she won 4 All-Ireland senor titles.
The GPA Hurling and Camogie Legends Lunch takes place at Croke Park on Friday, July 21st. The GPA will be delighted to welcome members of the hurling All-Ireland winning teams from 2013 (Clare), 2003, 1993, 1983 and 1963 (Kilkenny) and 1973 (Limerick) on the day. Cork’s All-Ireland winners from 1993, 1983 and 1973 will there to be recognised in camogie, alongside the 2013 winners (Galway), the 2003 winners (Tipperary), and Dublin’s 1963 winners.