Ballyhale Shamrocks and Borris-Ileigh share the spoils
on AIB GAA Club Hurling team of the year
Back to back All-Ireland
champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and beaten finalists Borris-Ileigh are the
dominant presence with 10 places between them on the prestigious AIB GAA Club
Players’ Awards team of the year in hurling, which is
announced today.
Earlier this year
Ballyhale Shamrocks successfully defended their AIB GAA All-Ireland senior club
hurling crown in what was a record eighth All-Ireland in all for the exceptional
Kilkenny club.
Defenders Joey Holden,
Darren Mullen and Evan Shefflin have been honoured on the team of the year – so
too, their sharp shooting and experienced forward duo of TJ Reid and Colin
Fennelly.
Tipp and Munster champs
Borris-Ileigh are represented by goalkeeper James McCormack and defenders Paddy
Stapletonand Brendan Maher with Dan McCormack’s midfield energy recognised and
so too, Jerry Kelly’s form in attack.
Similar to the football
selection announced yesterday, there are five clubs represented in all.
Derry star Chrissy
McKaigue won an AIB GAA Club Football Award in 2018 and adds a hurling award
here on the back of his inspirational work with Ulster champs Slaughtneil. He is
joined by club mate Brendan Rogers,who is named among the forwards and was previously
a hurling winner in 2018.
Elsewhere, the impressive
Shane Cooney from St Thomas’ in Galway completes the defence,while Ballygunner
ace Dessie Hutchinson and St Mullin’s of Carlow star Martin Kavanagh are also
honoured for their massive contribution to their club campaigns.
The awards will be
presented at a special banquet in Croke Park this Friday night.
The nominees for the AIB
GAA Club Hurler of the Year have also been announced and they see Ballyhale
Shamrocks duo TJ Reid and Evan Shefflin shortlisted alongside Borris-Ileigh’s
Brendan Maher. This overall award will be announced live on Friday evening.
Congratulating the
winners, Uachtarán
CLG John Horan said: “In the space of three
short years these awards recognising the AIB GAA club players of the year have
become a prestigious honour and this year’s selection is comprised of players
who left a major mark on another entertaining and memorable club campaign.
“To
win something with your club is truly special because it is where we begin and
where we finish and year after year this competition illustrates the importance
of the club to the community and the people they represent. These
players went above and beyond in their endeavours.
“I want to congratulate
all of the players who have been honoured
with a place on this team. I want to also extend our thanks to Denis
O’Callaghan and our long-standing supporters in AIB for their commitment to
this competition which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Denis O’Callaghan, Head of
Customer Management, AIB, said: “AIB is proud to celebrate its 29th
year sponsoring the Club Championships, and to partner with the GAA for the
third time for the AIB GAA Club Players Awards. The awards recognise the
incredible feats achieved by club players across Ireland who reached the AIB
GAA Club Championships.”
“Today,
we are proud to announce the AIB GAA Club Hurling Team of the Year. The skill
and talent displayed by these players puts their communities on the national
stage. To be named on the Club Hurling Team of the Year is a real honour, and
an immense source of pride for their families, communities and clubs.”
“On
behalf of AIB I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each of the
winners and to thank the national and regional sports media for taking the time
to cast their votes and for their continued support for the AIB GAA Club
Championships"
The AIB GAA Club Players’
Awards are selected by a panel of GAA media from across print, radio, tv and
digital, and is chaired by Uachtarán
CLG.
AIB
GAA CLUB PLAYERS’ AWARDS – HURLING 2020
- James McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
- Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh)
- Joseph Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
*Previous winner in 2019 - Darren Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
- Evan Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
- Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
- Shane Cooney (St Thomas)
- Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
- Christopher McKaigue (Slaughtneil)
- Brendan Rogers (Slaughtneil)
*Previous winner in 2018 - TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
*Previous winner in 2019 - Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh)
- Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)
- Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
*Previous winner in 2019 - Martin Kavanagh (St Mullins)
AIB GAA CLUB HURLER OF
THE YEAR NOMINEES
TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Evan Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
