Legendary figures from the Gaelic games family Margaret Leacy and Joe Connolly will be honoured by the Gaelic Players Association at its annual GPA Legends Lunch (Hurling and Camogie) on Friday, July 18th at Croke Park. The pair will receive the GPA’s Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition for their impact on hurling and camogie.
Wexford’s Margaret Leacy was named at wing back on the Camogie Team of the Century in 2004. From the Buffers Alley club, she won 3 All-Ireland senior titles with her county in 1968 and 1969 and then again in 1975. She is also the holder of 4 All-Ireland club titles, 3 with her home club and 1 with Eoghan Ruadh in Dublin while she played with them. She is also the holder of eight Gael Linn interprovincial medals and was selected as the Gaelic All Star Player of the Year in 1968. Her daughters Mary and Úna also won the O’Duffy Cup with Wexford.
Joe Connolly’s legacy in Gaelic games folklore was cemented forever when he addressed the ‘people of Galway’ as captain having lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 1980. Alongside an All-Ireland winners medal in that year, he also picked up an All-Star award and was named Texaco Hurler of the Year. Joe is also a club All-Ireland winner with Castlegar and holds a Fitzgibbon Cup medal from his time at University College Galway.
On the day many teams from down through the years will also be honoured. These teams are:
| Year | Anniversary | Hurling | Camogie |
| 2015 | 10 | Kilkenny | Cork |
| 2005 | 20 | Cork | Cork |
| 1995 | 30 | Clare | Cork |
| 1985 | 40 | Offaly | Kilkenny |
| 1975 | 50 | Kilkenny | Wexford |
| 1965 | 69 | Tipperary | Dublin |
The GPA Legends Lunch (Hurling and Camogie) is being organised in association with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. They are the GPA’s Official Charity Partner for 2025.
A new award is also going to be introduced this year. Tipperary’s Eddie Donnelly will be the inaugural winner of The Croí Bhríde Award.
The award has been created to recognise an extraordinary individual whose presence in the world of sport has been defined not by spotlight or ceremony, but by quiet, unwavering dedication.
For years, Eddie has been the calm voice in the dressing room, the steady hand in moments of doubt, the first to arrive and the last to leave. As a volunteer, mentor, and quiet pillar of strength, he has walked alongside generations of players, offering his time, heart, and wisdom—not for recognition, but for the joy of seeing others thrive.
There are a limited amount of tables for the event which will take place at Croke Park on the eve of the all-Ireland hurling final weekend for sale. These can be bought by contacting karenthorpe@kickoff.ie. They are priced at €2,000 (plus VAT) for a table of 10 and this includes a drinks reception and a 3-course lunch with wine.
