Brian smyth honoured by former players

Meath's 1949 All-Ireland winning senior football captain, Brian Smyth, was one of two recipients of the first GPA Lifetime Achievement Awards at the weekend's former players event in Croke Park. Wexford hurling legend Ned Wheeler was the second recipient.

The awards were the focal point of the annual Former Players gathering, a initiative started by the Players Association with the long-term objective of building county player support network.

Brian Smyth, aged 90, captained the Royal County to All-Ireland glory in 1949 where he scored four points. He won another All-Ireland title in 1954 and was selected on the ‘Ireland teams’ of 1950 and 1951 to play in the annual representative games against the Combined Universities.

Ned Wheeler (82), won three All-Ireland medals with the Wexford hurlers in 1955, ’56 and 1960 along with six Leinster championships and three Railway Cup medals.

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: “It is a great privilege for the Gaelic Players Association to honour Ned and Brian today, to acknowledge the wonderful contribution these two great players made to our games and their respective counties.

“Today’s gathering of former players is a celebration of that collective contribution, a chance to meet former colleagues and opponents who have soldiered on the field of play in the past.

“However, the event is also another step in our efforts to develop a strong network of former players to provide support for both current and retired players. It is essential for the GPA to tap into the rich experience of former players who can be valuable mentors to our current playing members.

“Following this social event it is our intention to host a number of Business Networking events around the country, to invite current and former players to meet with the business and professional communities with a view to supporting their long-term personal development.

“I would like to sincerely thank Paraic Duffy, the GAA and the Croke Park team for supporting today’s event. Thanks to the many sponsors, local, national and indeed players themselves who very generously supported us and continue to back our efforts to make a profound difference to the lives of our county footballers and hurlers through our Player Development Programme.