GAA inducts four newcomers to Hall of Fame

The GAA Hall of Fame inducted a further four members on Thursday. John Connolly (Galway), Tony Doran (Wexford), Dermot Earley (Roscommon) and John O'Keeffe (Kerry) became the latest to join what is now a group of 42 players, honoured in a special display at the Croke Park Museum.

They were formally acknowledged by GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail and afterwards there was a special lunch for families and friends, including a large contingent who had travelled from the West with the Connollys of Castlegar.

FOOTBALL

Dermot Earley

The late Roscommon footballer, represented by his son Dermot, himself a former All Star with Kildare, is frequently mentioned as one of the best players not to have been on a senior All-Ireland winning team.

He played for the county at senior level for two decades, making his debut in 1965 and retiring after the Connacht final in 1985. He won an All-Ireland under-21 title in 1966, playing on the team that defeated champions Kildare in the final.

Off the field he had a distinguished military career, serving as chief of staff of the defence forces at the conclusion of his career. He played with his home club Michael Glaveys and later for Sarsfields in Newbridge. Dermot Earley also managed the Roscommon and Kildare senior teams.

John O’Keeffe

He was the link between Kerry’s team of the golden years and the previous generation, winning All-Ireland medals with Kerry in 1969 and ’70 before going on to play a key role in the county’s successes during the Mick O’Dwyer era.

Earlier in his career he played at centrefield and centre back before going to become one of the great full backs, adding another five All-Ireland medals to his tally before injury forced his retirement after the 1984 Munster final.

He has the unusual distinction of having won All-Ireland medals with two different clubs, UCD when a student, and his home team Austin Stacks in Tralee. He was named Texaco Footballer of the Year in 1975.

After his playing career John O'Keeffe went on to managed Limerick and Clare at county level and the Ireland international team as well being part of Kerry's All-Ireland winning management in 2000. He has also written extensively for The Irish Times.

HURLING

John Connolly

One of the famous family of brothers, all seven of whom played for their county and Castlegar, with whom five of them won All-Ireland club honours in 1980, John Connolly was regarded as the talismanic figure in the resurgence of hurling in the county in the 1970s.

Although success came towards the end of his career he had been the best known Galway hurler of the decade, having made his senior county debut in 1967 against Clare.

He was part of the teams that made the breakthrough in the mid-1970s, winning the 1975 league title and later that year reaching the county’s first All-Ireland final in 17 years.

Galway were back in four years later but again lost to Kilkenny before bridging the 57-year gap to the county’s previous last All-Ireland on a famous afternoon in September 1980 when John Connolly played at full forward with his brothers Joe, who captained the team that beat Limerick, and Michael.

He was named Texaco Hurler of the Year for 1980 before retiring a year later. He also served as a selector and coach with various Galway teams.

Tony Doran

The great Wexford full forward topped and tailed his intercounty career with All-Ireland medals, winning titles at minor (1963), under-21 in 1965, the year he joined the senior team, and the scoring two goals in the 1968 final when a memorable comeback against Tipperary brought the Liam MacCarthy back to the county.

In the years to come fortune didn’t smile as brightly. During a 19-year senior career he played in three further All-Ireland finals but lost on each occasion against Cork although Wexford did win two national league titles.

He was honoured with the Texaco Hurler of the Year award in 1976 and played for Wexford up until Centenary Year in 1984. A physical full forward, he was immense as a ball winner and averaged a goal a match during his championship career. There was an extraordinary conclusion to his playing days when now in his 40s, he helped Buffers Alley to an All-Ireland club title in 1989.