FORMER greats Jimmy Keaveney and Jimmy Barry-Murphy were honoured by the GAA on Wednesday, becoming the third group of former players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail congratulated both players on being named on the prestigious list, which acknowledges their massive contribution to the GAA at the highest level over a prolonged period.
“I am delighted to welcome two legends of our games as the latest entrants to the Hall of Fame in light of their fantastic contributions to the games and to the GAA as a whole,” Ó Fearghail said.
“Both players were synonymous with the games and, indeed, Jimmy Barry Murphy is still involved with top level hurling. Both were household names as players lighting up numerous Championship campaigns for their counties, but both also served their clubs with distinction for many years. I congratulate both on behalf of the GAA as a whole and I can’t think of two more fitting ambassadors for the accolade.”
Cork's Barry-Murphy, the current manager of the Rebel hurlers, is regarded as one of the best dual players in GAA history. But it was as a hurler that he achieved most, winning five All-Ireland senior hurling medals and five hurling Allstars between 1976 and 1986. During a 13-year playing career, Barry-Murphy also represented Munster in the Railway Cup and, at club level, he was also a dual All-Ireland medalist with St Finbarr's.
On retirement from playing, he turned his hand to coaching. A successful spell in charge of the Cork minor hurlers led to the beginning of a five-year tenure with the senior team in 1996. During that period, he guided Cork to an All-Ireland title, two Munster titles and a National League title. He later became involved in club management with St Finbarr's and Cloughduv, before returning for a second spell as manager of the Cork senior hurling team in 2011.
Jimmy Keaveney is a legend of the great Dublin team of the 1970s and was renowned for his accurate place-kicking ability. During a 14-year inter-county career, Keaveney won three All-Ireland senior titles, six Leinster titles, two National Leagues and three Allstars. With his club St Vincent's, he won an impressive 10 senior county championships and a coveted All-Ireland Club Championship in 1976.
