The Gaelic Players Association are delighted to announce two new recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards which will be presented at the GPA Legends Lunch (Hurling and Camogie) on Friday, July 19th at Croke Park. Legendary Dublin star Kay Ryder, a 10-time All-Ireland winner, will receive the camogie accolade. In a break from tradition, and to recognise his outstanding service to players through multiple generations, Dr. Con Murphy of Cork becomes the first non-player to be honoured.
From her debut as a 21-year-old in 1955 to bowing out of the game in 1967, Kay Ryder enjoyed astonishing success. Alongside her 10 All-Ireland medals, she also won 5 Gael Linn Cup (interprovincial) medals with Leinster and 5 successive Ashbourne Cups with UCD between 1958 and 1962. In 1965 she captained Dublin to the All-Ireland and Leinster to the Gael Linn Cup, becoming only the second player to achieve the feat. She also captained the Dubs the following year. Kay also enjoyed success with her club Naomh Aoife.
Dr. Con Murphy is known to players the length and breadth of the country and further afield. In 1976 he became the doctor to the Cork hurling team and soon after the football team but in truth was far more than just a physician. He was a friend and a confidant to players and a sage advisor to selectors and managers for many years. And while he is Cork through and through, Dr. Con has helped countless players from all over the country down through the years. He has asked that the Legends Lunch on July 19th be used as a fundraiser for Cork University Hospital with whom he has a very close affiliation.
On the day many teams from down through the years will also be honoured. These teams are:
| Year | Anniversary | Hurling | Camogie |
| 2014 | 10 | Kilkenny | Cork |
| 2004 | 20 | Cork | Kilkenny |
| 1994 | 30 | Offaly | Tipperary |
| 1984 | 40 | Cork | Dublin |
| 1974 | 50 | Kilkenny | Kilkenny |
| 1964 | 69 | Tipperary | Dublin |
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.
