AIB GAA All-Ireland club hurling champions dominate Club Player Awards
Ballygunner have several players named in the AIB Club hurling team of the year. Photos: INPHO
On top of that, the shortlist for AIB GAA Club Hurler of the Year 25/26 is an all Ballygunner affair with teammates Dessie Hutchinson, Paddy Leavey and Stephen O’Keeffe in the running.
Galway champions and All-Ireland finalists Loughrea and St Martin’s of Wexford are also represented on the team of the season and in recognition of the strong contribution they made to another memorable club championship campaign.
AIB has also established the first-ever ‘Moments of the Championship’ award this year, recognising unforgettable instances across the LGFA, Camogie, and GAA Club Championships, which will be presented at the ceremony. The nominees for this new award are: Muckalee LGFA, who remarkably triumphed against the odds to win the AIB LGFA Leinster Junior Championship, before going on to land the AIB All-Ireland Junior title; Katie Rogers of Knockbride LGFA, whose inspiring personal goal ‘To Play in Croke Park’ from her list of things to do before turning 30 became a reality; and Ballymacelligot GAA, who demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship by forming a guard of honour for their West Kerry neighbours, An Ghaeltacht, as they ran onto Croke Park ahead of the AIB GAA All-Ireland Intermediate Final.
After having 22 points to spare over Mount Sion in the Waterford county final, Ballygunner had a tough path to provincial honours and had to overcome three quality teams in Na Piarsaigh of Limerick, Sarsfields of Cork, and Éire Óg Ennis of Clare. Leinster champions St Martin’s asked questions in the semi-final as did Loughrea for long spells in the final. Ultimately however, Ballygunner always had the answers.
A series of superb saves in the All-Ireland final capped another impressive campaign for Ballygunner goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe who is now a five-time winner of this award and the most decorated hurler since the scheme started in 2018.
He is joined in defence by Ian Kenny at full back who wins a third Club Player Award as well as Aaron O’Neill, and Harry Ruddle.
Midfielder Paddy Leavey is another three-time recipient and up-front Peter Hogan wins a second award, Kevin Mahony joins his multi-award-winning brothers Philip and Pauric and Dessie Hutchinson is now a four-time winner.
Loughrea caught the eye with the energy and intensity of their effort, posting impressive numbers when it came to hooks and blocks and tackles and they had the inside finish to match. Shane Morgan and Cullen Killeen were central to that charge and are named at centre back and midfield while up front Anthony Burns impressed as one of the leaders of their attack and saw off stiff competition to be selected.
Brothers Jack and Rory O’Connor used all of their experience and craft to inspire what was a brilliant campaign for St Martin’s once they emerged from Wexford and toppled big names in Leinster. They are joined by defensive lynchpins Joe Barrett and Philip Dempsey to complete the line up.
Dessie Hutchinson, Club Hurler of the Year in 2022, is again shortlisted for the overall award after his attacking displays. The high level of consistency and impact shown by Paddy Leavey and Stephen O’Keeffe secured their overall nomination.
The team was selected by a panel of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, tv and digital media, and the awards will be presented at a special function held at Croke Park on Friday, March 13th. The AIB Club Players’ Awards will be a gala celebration of the club campaign across the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association and the overall players of the year will be announced live on the night.
1.Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
2.Aaron O’Neill (Ballygunner)
3 Ian Kenny (Ballygunner
4.Joe Barrett (St Martins)
5 Harry Ruddle (Ballygunner)
6.Shane Morgan (Loughrea)
7 Philip Dempsey (St Martins)
8.Cullen Killeen (Loughrea)
9.Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner) 10.Jack O’Connor (St Martins) 11.Rory O’Connor (St Martins) 12.Peter Hogan (Ballygunner)
13. Anthony Burns (Loughrea)
14. Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner) 15. Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)
Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)
Paddy Leavy (Ballygunner)
Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
