This Saturday (31st August) on the eve of the All-Ireland Football Final, one of Gaelic Football’s all-time greats will be celebrated in Croke Park with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).Former Kerry footballer, John O’Keeffe, will receive the award at the seventh annual GPA Football Legends Lunch. The aim of this popular networking event is to honour football legends for their contribution to Gaelic Games and Irish society.
O’Keeffe was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1969 until 1984. He was a highly talented midfielder, and one of the most stylish and accomplished full-backs in Gaelic football history. As one of football’s greatest full backs, John has a long list of achievements including: seven All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals; 12 Munster Championship medals; seven National Football League medals; eight Railway Cup medals, and five GAA All Stars Awards. He was also named the Texaco Footballer of the Year in 1975.After retirement, John then went on to manage both Clare and Limerick at county level, and he was part of Kerry’s All-Ireland winning management team in 2000. He has also been a valued contributor for The Irish Times. The Gaelic Players Association will honour John with the award to celebrate his long-standing career and contribution to football as a player, manager and champion.Paul Flynn, CEO of the GPA, said: “John O’Keeffe’s football career, as a player and manager, has had such a positive impact on so many players and we are thrilled to acknowledge his contribution to the game and Irish society. The Gaelic Players Association is truly honoured to present John with a GPA Lifetime Achievement Award for 2019.The GPA Football Legends Lunch will take place on Saturday, 31st August on the eve of the All-Ireland Football Final. For the past six years, the GPA has hosted the Annual GPA Legends Lunch (formerly known as the Former Players Lunch) on the eve of the All-Ireland Football Final. The very first GPA Hurling Legends Lunch recently took place on the eve of the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Former Tipperary hurler, Tony Wall, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the GPA at that inaugural event.
