Past Players Group reaches out to stars of yesteryear
Press release, Thursday Sept 12, 2013
Former county footballers and hurlers from all over the country will gather in the Burlington Hotel for a networking event on the eve of the All-Ireland football final as the GPA’s Past Players Group reaches out to the stars of yesteryear.
The GPA established its Past Players Advisory Group under the chairmanship of former Dublin captain and manager Tony Hanahoe and the lunch in the Burlington Hotel on Saturday September 21 is an attempt to grow the network of former county players.
Speaking about the event Tony Hanahoe commented: “The Past Players Group was established with the aim of developing a network of former players under the umbrella of the GPA, which already supports past players through its programmes.
“We believe that a strong network can provide support to former players who may be in personal difficulty for whatever reasons. While ultimately this will include fundraising for a past players benevolent fund, we would hope that within that network, players would also be prepared to offer their professional services to those in need.
“The event on Saturday week is a social occasion, a rare but much needed opportunity for former county players in both codes to gather and meet and enjoy a relaxed lunch together, but with a serious intention behind it. We will be encouraging those interested in being part of a network to join with us subsequently so that we can form a support structure for those who contributed so much to our games in the past.
“It is a very exciting prospect but we are acutely aware that there is no coherent structure of former players and that is the challenge for us to develop a network with which we can communicate and develop that support base for former players who are in difficulty in their lives.
“I think it is also very important that we now establish an annual, formal social event for former players on a national basis and this is the first step.”
Already former stars such as Pat Gilroy and Jason Sherlock of Dublin, Peter Rooney from Down, Offaly’s Michael Duignan, Kerry’s Darragh Ó Sé and Mick Galwey, Tyrone’s Kevin McCabe and Meath legend Colm O’Rouke will be in attendance.
The Past Players Group includes Kerry legend Sean Walsh, Mayo’s Kevin O’Neill, former Clare hurler Colm Honan, Offaly star Seamus Darby, Meath ace Bernard Flynn, Vinnie Glennon of Roscommon and Down dual player Greg Blaney.
Saturday week’s lunch in the Burlington begins at 12pm and any former county players wishing to attend should contact Seán Potts in the GPA at [email protected] or 018575686 or Bernard Flynn directly at [email protected] 0862376980.
