O’Connor and O’Grady launch Gaelic Players Awards

The GPA today announced the return of the Opel Gaelic Players Awards for 2008.

Now in its third year, the Gaelic Players Awards scheme sets out to recognise and reward the outstanding commitment of players and provide tangible support in recognition of their achievements.

The awards will run from April to October and will recognise the outstanding achievement of one inter-county hurler and footballer each month incorporating both the National league and Championship seasons. It will culminate in an end-of-year awards ceremony in November, where a team of the year will be selected as well as the Opel Gaelic player of the year for hurling and football.

The shortlist will be selected by two independent panels, one for the hurling and one for the football. Donal O’Grady, former all Ireland winning Cork Hurling manager will chair the hurling panel, while Former All Ireland winning Kerry manager, Jack O’Connor, will chair the football panel.

Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the GPA, said: “The honour of being recognised by fellow players is a special one for all footballers and hurlers and the on-going success of the Opel Gaelic Players Awards highlights the importance of this accolade. I wish our chairmen, selection panels and the players the best of success with this year’s Awards.”