The Gaelic Players Association will recognise the outstanding contributions to their counties by Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes and Sue Ramsbottom at the GPA Legends Lunch (Football) on the eve of men’s All-Ireland Football Final weekend. Nudie and Sue will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards for their services as players to Monaghan and Laois.
The Legends Lunch will be celebrated in association with Barnardos, the GPA’s Official Charity Partner for 2024.
From 1988 to 2003 Sue Ramsbottom tormented defences all over the country both on the inside forward line or dictating play from centre forward. During that time, she played in 7 All-Ireland football finals remarkably losing her first 6 before finally getting over the line in 2001 as Laois defeated Mayo by the narrowest of margins 2-14 to 1-16 thanks to a late free. Her consistently high level of performance also saw her earn 7 All-Stars with 3-in-a-row coming from 1988 to 1990 and then further awards in 1993 and 1994, and 1996 and 1997. Playing her club football with first the Heath and then Timahoe, Sue was also capped 3-times internationally by the Ireland rugby team. In 2020 she was ranked as the fourth greatest player of all time by the Irish Independent.
Nudie Hughes is widely regarded as one of Monaghan football’s greatest ever players. The county’s first All-Star winner in 1979 and picked up 2 further personal accolades in 1985 and 1989. He is one of only a small number of players to have been recognised in defence and attack, his first coming as a corner-back with the others coming as a corner-forward. Those 3 All-Star winning years coincided with Monaghan winning the Ulster title while in 1985 Nudie was also part of the team that won the National Football League. He picked up a Railway Cup medal in 1984 as part of Ulster’s winning side and also won 2 Ulster club football titles with Castleblaney Faughs.
A number of All-Ireland winning teams from the past will also be honoured on the day. These are:
| Year | Anniversary | Male | Female |
| 2014 | 10 | Kerry | Cork |
| 2004 | 20 | Kerry | Galway |
| 1994 | 30 | Down | Waterford |
| 1984 | 40 | Kerry | Kerry |
| 1974 | 50 | Dublin | Tipperary |
| 1964 | 60 | Galway | N/A |
The GPA Legends Lunch (Football) will take place at Croke Park on Friday, July 26th. There are a limited number of tables available for purchase for the event. 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.
