In one of the outgoing president's last official acts, Kelly will unveil a plaque commemorating the Donnybrook field where Limerick played Louth in the 1887 final.

The site, on which the Beech Hill estate now exists, was known then as Byrne's field, and was used by the Benburb GAA Club. The game was played on 23 April 1888. At the time, counties were represented by individual clubs rather than a selected panel of players from across the county. Louth was represented by Dundalk Young Irelands while Limerick Commercials togged out for the Munster county. Limerick won the game by 14 to Louth's 0-3. A large crowd attended and total gate receipts were £300 . . . a significant sum of money in the late 1880s.

The push to mark the site's historic significance has been led by local Labour party councillor, former Dublin lord mayor Dermot Lacey. "It is an important part of GAA history. It is not at all well known that the first ever gaelic final was played in the middle of Dublin 4, " he says. "We are delighted that Sean Kelly has agreed to take part."

While there has been no formal recognition of the historic venue before, a medal from the game was sold last November for 31,000 in an auction of sporting memorabilia at Sotheby's in London.

The medal, which was won by Limerick player Malachi O'Brien, is widely believed to be one of the last of its kind in circulation and was bought by the Limerick Leader newspaper. O'Brien was a pivotal member of the Commercials team, and became known as 'The Little Wonder' for his great range of skills despite his diminutive stature.