Ger Loughnane and Pat Spillane will be inducted into the Gaelic Writers’ Association Hall of Fame on Friday.
The pair, who have had success on the field in both hurling and football, as well as off it in sports broadcasting and punditry, will be honoured at the Gaelic Writers’ Association Awards on Friday evening.
Loughnane and Spillane are the latest additions to the Hall of Fame, after last year’s winners Brendan Cummins and Oisin McConville.
Loughnane was part of a Clare team that won two National Hurling League medals in 1977 and 1978 while his brilliant displays for the Banner were recognised with two All-Star awards.
Image: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
As a manager he enjoyed incredible success in leading his native Clare to two All-Ireland titles in 1995 and 1997, along with three Munster senior titles.
Spillane was one of the stars of a great Kerry team with his collection of nine All-Stars a record for a Gaelic footballer. He has also claimed eight All-Ireland senior medals and 12 Munster titles.
Dublin’s Jackson Court Hotel will be the venue for the night of awards, where the GWA will also honour a number of other managers and players for their achievements in 2016.
Dublin’s Brian Fenton has been selected as the Football Personality of the Year, with Waterford manager Derek McGrath winning the hurling accolade.
Fenton enjoyed an outstanding season at midfield for the All-Ireland champions Dublin, and was central to their National League and Leinster senior triumphs.
McGrath lead his Waterford team to the finals of the National hurling league and Munster championship, while also playing out two thrilling games with Kilkenny at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.
Journalist and Offaly All-Ireland winning manager Eugene McGee will also be given the GWA Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the media, including his ownership of the Longford Leader newspaper. During his time in charge, McGee rebuilt the Leader to become an incredibly strong local newspaper, giving talented journalists the chance to shine.
Speaking about the event, GWA chairman Gordon Manning said: “These awards allow us, as journalists and broadcasters, to honour and recognise the great players, administrators and fellow reporters who over the years have added so much to the fabric of Gaelic Games.”
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