Dubs hero Jimmy Keaveney inducted into Hall of Fame

The GAA Museum at Croke Park has announced the induction of two more players into the Hall of Fame for 2015.

Former greats – Jimmy Keaveney (Dublin) and Jimmy Barry Murphy (Cork) were honoured by becoming the third group of former players to receive the awards.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail congratulated the players on being named on the prestigious list which acknowledges their massive contribution to the GAA at the highest level over a prolonged period.

He said: “I am delighted to welcome two legends of our games as the latest entrants to the Hall of Fame in light of their fantastic contributions to the games and to the GAA as a whole.

“Both players were synonymous with the games and indeed Jimmy Barry Murphy is still involved with top level hurling. Both were household names as players lighting up numerous championship campaigns for their counties but both also served their clubs with distinction for many years. I congratulate both on behalf of the GAA as a whole and I can’t think of two more fitting ambassadors for the accolade.”

Niamh McCoy, GAA Museum Director, added: “The Hall of Fame is one of the most popular exhibits in the GAA Museum and it’s also one of the most prestigious as it acknowledges the outstanding performances of some of our games most memorable players. We hope our visitors will enjoy learning more about our latest inductees when they spend time in the museum this year.”

In 2014 the GAA Museum welcomed over 114,000 visitors, of which 40% were from overseas and it has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 5 visitor attractions in Dublin on the influential TripAdvisor website. The museum houses a vast collection tracing the birth and growth of Gaelic games and most recently installed a new GAA Dynasties exhibition which celebrates the role of families within the GAA.

Jimmy Keaveney – Dublin

From: 1964 – 1978

Club: St. Vincents

3 All-Irelands (1974, 1976, 1977)

Footballer of the Year (1976 and 1977)

3 All Stars

Jimmy Keaveney is a legend of the great Dublin team of the 1970s and was renowned for his accurate place-kicking ability. During a 14-year inter-county career, Jimmy won three All-Ireland senior titles, six Leinster titles, two National Leagues and three All Stars. With his club, St. Vincents, Jimmy won an impressive ten senior county championships and a coveted All-Ireland Club Championship in 1976.

He made his senior inter-county debut in 1964 and won a Leinster title in 1965. However over the next eight years Dublin failed to reach another provincial decider. In 1973, Jimmy announced his retirement from inter-county football.

In 1974 Kevin Heffernan took over as Dublin manager. Jimmy’s inter-county retirement was short-lived as Heffernan persuaded him to return to the team. Dublin defeated Meath in the Leinster final in 1974 and Jimmy won a second provincial championship medal. Dublin marched on to the All-Ireland final and secured victory over Galway. Jimmy won his first All-Ireland medal and collected his first All Star Award.

In 1976 and 1977 Dublin won back-to-back All-Ireland titles, with Jimmy leading from the front. He was named Footballer of the Year in 1976 and 1977. His second of three All Stars in 1977 was awarded for the “continued subtlety of his attacking play and his notable marksmanship”.

Jimmy played his club football with St Vincent’s, winning nine senior county championships from 1964 to 1977 and two Leinster senior club championships. In 1976 St. Vincent’s outclassed Roscommon Gaels in the All-Ireland Club Final and Jimmy won a coveted All-Ireland club championship medal. His great passion for hurling also bestowed a further three Dublin senior county hurling championship medals.

Jimmy Barry-Murphy

County: Cork

From: 1973 - 1986

Club: St Finbarr’s

6 All-Ireland medals – five hurling (1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1986) and one football (1973)

7 All Stars – 5 hurling, 2 football

Jimmy Barry-Murphy is regarded as one of the best dual players in GAA history. But it was as a hurler that he achieved most, winning five All-Ireland senior hurling medals and five hurling All Stars between 1976 and 1986.

During a 13-year senior inter-county playing career, Jimmy played for the Cork senior hurling and football teams and represented Munster in the inter-provincial Railway Cup championships. At club level, Jimmy was also a dual All-Ireland medalist with St. Finbarrs.

After starting his career as a dual player at minor level, Jimmy graduated to the Cork senior football team in 1973. Between then and 1980 he won one All-Ireland senior football medal, two Munster senior championship and a National Football League.

His inter-county hurling career with Cork produced five All-Ireland medals, two National Hurling League medals and a record-equaling ten Munster championship medals. Jimmy was an All Star on seven occasions – twice for football and five times for hurling.

He also won two National Hurling Leagues and ten Munster championships. At club level, Jimmy was also a dual All-Ireland medalist with St. Finbarrs. A superb stylist, he was especially effective as a goal scorer. After starting his career as a dual player at minor level, Jimmy graduated to the Cork senior football team in 1973. He won an All-Ireland senior football medal, two Munster championships and a National Football League and was named on the All Star football team in 1973 and 1974.

His hurling All Stars were awarded for his “rare style”, “splendid skill and ball control and his outstanding opportunism” along with his “exciting ability to snatch scoring chances”.

In retirement from playing Jimmy Barry-Murphy turned his hand to coaching. A successful spell in charge of the Cork minor hurlers led to the beginning of a five-year tenure with the senior team in 1996. During that period he guided Cork to an All-Ireland title, two Munster titles and a National League title. He later became involved in club management with St. Finbarr's and Cloughduv.

On 6 September 2011 Jimmy returned for a second spell as manager of the Cork senior team.