Offaly’s Pat Fleury. Photo: Sportsfile
It ran from 1963 to 1967, but since it didn t have official GAA backing and was largely ignored by the wider media world, it ran aground.
Mick Dunne (initially Irish Press and later RTÉ) led the campaign to launch a new and official scheme, complete with sponsors and a glitzy presentation ceremony, the first of which was held on December 15, 1971.
Carrolls did an excellent job marketing the new arrival, including the production of large colourful posters, which carried pictures and citations for all 30 players. They became essential decorations on pub and club walls and, in many cases, a whole range of them are still to be seen around the country.