The AIB GAA Football and Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship Teams of the Year have been named this morning.
The teams were carefully selected by a panel of experts, who diligently assessed performances throughout the championships.
AIB will honour these players and those from Hurling and Camogie at the AIB Club Player Awards ceremony this Friday, March 21st, where the coveted Player of the Year awards will also be revealed.
The AIB GAA Football Club Player of the Year nominees are Con O’Callaghan of Cuala, Ruairí Canavan of Errigal Ciaran and Micheál Burns of Dr Crokes.
In Ladies Gaelic Football, the AIB LGFA Club Player of the Year nominees are Eva Noone and Louise Ward, both of Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Aoife Kane of Kilmacud Crokes.
AIB’s commitment to Gaelic Games reached new heights in 2024, as it celebrated its inaugural year sponsoring the AIB Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship which added to their long-established support for the GAA Club Championships and Camogie Club Championships which AIB has proudly sponsored since 1991 and 2013 respectively.
This year’s unified Awards event promises to be a memorable occasion. It will celebrate all four codes of the Gaelic Games club season and mark the first time ever that players from Football, Hurling, Camogie, and LGFA will be honoured together at the same prestigious awards.
All-Ireland champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne have been awarded the most players on the AIB Ladies Football Club Championship Team of the Year. The Galway club boasts eight places on the team of the year, having won their fourth All-Ireland title in a row. In a repeat of last year’s semi-final, they held off Kilmacud Crokes in the final to take home the Dolores Tyrrell Memorial Cup.
The Dublin champions have five players on the team following their impressive run to Croke Park, which saw them win their third Leinster title in succession.
Castleisland Desmonds, who secured their fourth Munster crown this season and first since 1986 have one place on the team of the year, while Ulster Champions Clann Éireann also have one place on the AIB Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship Team of the Year.
The AIB GAA Football Club Championship Team of the Year, features six players from All-Ireland champions Cuala. The Dublin club clinched their first-ever All-Ireland title when they overcame Errigal Ciaran in a pulsating final that saw them come out on top on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-16.
Errigal Ciaran have been recognised with five players on the team of the year following an incredible season which saw them reach their maiden All-Ireland final.
Connacht champions, Coolera-Strandhill, and Munster champions, Dr Crokes have two players each named on the team, following impressive seasons for both clubs. Coolera-Strandhill became the first Sligo club to conquer Connacht in 41 years when they overcame Padraig Pearses while Dr Crokes’ incredible journey was cut short in the All-Ireland semi-final by Errigal Ciaran who needed extra time to overcome the Kerry club.
“AIB is delighted to celebrate the exceptional talent within Hurling, Camogie, and Ladies Gaelic Football,” said Chief Customer Officer Orlaith Ryan.
“We are exceptionally proud to support these athletes and their communities through our sponsorship of the Club Championships.”
“These awards recognise the dedication, skill, and unwavering commitment that define players. Seeing the passion and skill on display across all codes is truly inspiring. Congratulations to all the players, we look forward to celebrating your achievements.”
“The AIB GAA Club Football Championship has once again showcased the passion and commitment at the heart of our association,” added GAA President Jarlath Burns.
“These players embody the dedication that make our games so special. My congratulations to each player named on the team of the year and the best of luck to the three players nominated for player of the year. Your achievements are a source of immense pride for your clubs and counties.”
“We are thrilled to acknowledge the incredible skill and dedication of these players, who have inspired us all with their performances throughout the season and we congratulate each player on this well-deserved recognition,” said newly appointed President of the LGFA Trina Murray.
“Thank you to AIB for their support in celebrating these exceptional athletes.”
AIB Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship Team of the Year 2024/25
Dearbhla Gower (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
Eilís Lynch (Castleisland Desmonds, Kerry)
Sarah Gormally (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Niamh Divilly (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Aoife Kane – (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
Nicola Ward (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Hannah Noone (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Aisling Madden (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Lauren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
Niamh Cotter (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
Louise Ward (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Olivia Divilly (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Eva Noone (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
Niamh Murray (Clann Éireann, Armagh)
Michelle Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
AIB Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship Player of the Year nominees
Eva Noone – Kilkerrin-Clonberne
Louise Ward – Kilkerrin-Clonberne
Aoife Kane – Kilmacud Crokes
AIB GAA Club Football Team of the Year 2024/25
Keelan Harte (Coolera-Strandhill, Sligo)
Seán Taylor (Coolera-Strandhill, Sligo)
Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala, Dublin)
Charlie McMorrow (Cuala, Dublin)
Peter Óg McCartan (Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone)
Brian Looney (Dr Crokes, Kerry)
David O’Dowd (Cuala, Dublin)
Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala, Dublin)
Joe Oguz (Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone)
Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes, Kerry)
Peter Harte (Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone)
Ruairí Canavan (Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone)
Niall O’Callaghan (Cuala, Dublin)
Con O’Callaghan (Cuala, Dublin)
Darragh Canavan (Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone)
AIB GAA Club Football Player of the Year nominees:
Micheál Burns – Dr Crokes
Ruairí Canavan – Errigal Ciaran
Con O’Callaghan – Cuala
Further Reading for Sport for Business Members: A Weekend of Drama and Delight
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Gaelic Games Integration is on its way with 2027 still set firmly. Sponsorship will be a part of this as it is across other sports and this first bringing together of all four codes at club level is a moment to celebrate.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The Awards night will take place in Croke Park this Friday night.
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