Imreoir to Bainisteoir exhibition Launched at the GAA museum

The GAA Museum’s new exhibition celebrates individuals to have won All- titles as both a player and including six recipients

Few GAA players win All-Ireland medals and even fewer go on to repeat the feat as a team manager. A new exhibition at the GAA Museum celebrates this unique club of players. Imreoir to Bainisteoir features memorabilia, film footage and imagery from the 30 players who have achieved All-Ireland success both on the field and from the sidelines.

There are 13 hurlers, 11 footballers and six camogie players who have claimed All-Ireland medals as a player and manager. The group includes legends such as Mick O’Dwyer, Kevin Heffernan, and Ann Downey. Imreoir to Bainisteoir recognises the amazing achievements of these players and gives fans the opportunity to remember some of the most exciting players and teams in the history of Gaelic Games.

Speaking at today’s launch Uachtarán Chumann Lύthchleas Gael, Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “It is with great pride that I open this new exhibition and I hope GAA fans from Ireland and beyond will visit and celebrate these GAA Legends. All sporting codes need heroes and without doubt, the players honoured here are some of the greatest of all time. It will be interesting to see if a new name will be added to this unique group anytime soon!”

Players showcased in the exhibition have achieved their double success in different ways. Mick O’Dwyer led Kerry to eight All-Ireland titles in 13 seasons and won four All- with the Kingdom as a player. His medal collection is displayed alongside that of fellow Kerryman Páidí Ó’Sé, who was an All-Ireland winning manager twice but lifted Sam Maguire eight times as a player.

Interestingly, Eamonn Cregan won his All-Ireland medal with his native Limerick in 1973 but went on to achieve managerial success with Offaly in 1994 when the team defeated Limerick. Tony Hanahoe, on the other hand, won his accolade as a player/manager with Dublin in 1977.

Some players had also achieved All-Ireland success with their clubs including Davy Fitzgerald, , Donal O’Grady, Jimmy Barry Murphy, Pat Gilroy and Billy Morgan. Morgan of has won football titles at club and county level as both player and manager. His jersey and cap worn in the 1973 All-Ireland final, as well as the match ball are on display.

Imreoir to Bainisteoir is housed on the ground floor of the GAA Museum in Croke Park and will run until May 2018.

Imreoir to Bainisteoir

Name/County Player Manager Kevin Heffernan – Dublin 1958 (captain) 1974, 1976, 1983 Tony Hanahoe – Dublin 1974, 1976, 1977 (captain) 1976 (Player/Manager) Pat O’Neill - Dublin 1976, 1977 1995 Pat Gilroy - Dublin 1995 2011 - Dublin 1995 2013, 2015, 2016 Billy Morgan – Cork 1973 (captain) 1989, 1990 - Cork 1989, 1990 2010 Mick O’Dwyer - Kerry 1959, 1962, 1969, 1970 1974, 1978-1981, 1984-1986 Páidí Ó Sé - Kerry 1974, 1978-1981, 1984-1986 1997, 2000 Eamonn Fitzmaurice - Kerry 2000, 2004, 2006 2014 Jim McGuinness - Donegal 1992 2012 Brian Cody – 1974, 1975, 1982 (c), 1983 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006-2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2015 – Kilkenny 1979, 1982, 1983 - Kilkenny 1957 1992, 1993 Eamonn Cregan – Limerick/Offaly 1973 1994 Jimmy Barry Murphy - Cork 1973 (football), 1976-78, 1984, 1986 1999 - Cork 1954 1986 Donal O’Grady - Cork 1984 2004 John Allen - Cork 1976, 1978 2005 Davy Fitzgerald – Clare 1995, 1997 2013 – Tipperary 1989, 1991 2001 Michael ‘Babs’ Keating – Tipperary 1964, 1965, 1971 1989, 1991 Michael Ryan – Tipperary 1991 2016 – Tipperary 1989, 1991 1999 – 2001 CAMOGIE Nancy Murray – Antrim 1940s 1967 Mary Moran – Cork 1970 1972, 1973 Mary Conway - Kilkenny 1974, 1977 1981 Ann Downey – Kilkenny 1974, 1976-77, 1981, 1985-1991, 1994 2016 Denise Cronin - Cork 1992-93, 1995, 1997-98, 2002 2009 Fiona O’Driscoll – Cork 1992-93, 1995, 1997-98, 2002 2005