An epic season of action in the 2022/23 AIB GAA Club Championships will reach a conclusion this Sunday as the AIB GAA All-Ireland Football and Hurling Senior Club Championship Finals are played out at Croke Park.

The runners-up from last season’s Hurling and Football finals are going in search of redemption but both will face stiff opposition from Ulster clubs.

At 1.30 pm, Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny face off against Dunloy CúChullains of Antrim in the AIB GAA All-Ireland Hurling Senior Club Championship Final. The football decider will throw in at 3.30 pm, with Watty Graham’s Glen (Derry) up against Dublin and Leinster Champions Kilmacud Crokes.

Representatives from each of the four clubs competing for silverware were present today to look forward to this weekend’s finals, with Joey Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Ryan Elliot (Dunloy Cú Chullains), Connor Carville (Watty Graham’s Glen) and Shane Cunningham (Kilmacud Crokes) all in attendance and pictured above.

Four-in-a-row Leinster champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks are no strangers to All-Ireland Final Day in Croke Park. The Kilkenny men avenged last year’s agonising final defeat to rivals Ballygunner in an enthralling semi-final rematch this year, with a TJ Reid goal edging the tie on a scoreline of 1-16 to 0-16.

Three points was also enough to get Pat Hoban’s charges over the line against Kilmacud Crokes to claim their 12th Leinster crown. The experience of veteran campaigner, Joey Holden has been a key part of the Shamrocks’ title tilt this season and will no doubt be needed come Sunday.

Eager to upset the odds are Dunloy Cú Chullains of Antrim who dispatched a much-fancied St. Thomas’ outfit in the semi-final, with a goal for the ages from Keelan Molloy fired the Ulstermen to a famous four-point win that day. This followed an equally impressive win in the provincial final win over Slaughtneil which secured Dunloy’s first Ulster title since 2010.

Clean sheets from netminder Ryan Elliot have proved pivotal in both of these matches, and the county man knows that nothing but his best will do again this weekend.

Kilmacud Crokes missed out on the hurling but have come through strong in the football and will also be hoping to make amends for defeat in last year’s AIB GAA All-Ireland Football Senior Club Championship Final, where a last-minute goal from Kilcoo saw the South Dublin men leave GAA HQ empty handed.

Robbie Brennan’s team have been men on a mission this year, with impressive victories in their provincial campaign over Naas (Kildare), Portarlington (Laois) and The Downs (Westmeath), before a resilient performance over Munster champions Kerins O’Rahillys.

Watty Graham’s Glen, who became Ulster champions for the very first time when they disposed of the reigning All-Ireland title holders, Kilcoo in a memorable Ulster final.

Captain, Connor Carville has led the defensive effort for Malachy O’Rourke’s men thus far, and he was to the fore in the nail-biting semi-final victory over Moycullen of Galway. This will be the club’s first-ever All-Ireland Final appearance at Croke Park.

Both games will be televised live on TG4.

“While this weekend’s games will be watched nationwide, it is a special day for those involved with the four clubs competing on Sunday,” said AIB CEO Colin Hunt.

“All will represent their communities with pride. On behalf of AIB, I would like to express our gratitude to each of you for playing such a central role in this year’s competitions. We wish you the very best of luck from the first whistle to the last.”

“We look forward to welcoming supporters to Croke Park this weekend for what is sure to be a thrilling conclusion to this year’s AIB GAA Senior Club Championships,” added GAA President Larry McCarthy.

“We thank everybody for their steadfast support of teams throughout the season. I also take this opportunity to thank our long-term partners, AIB, for their continuous support of the Club Championships. With their support, these unique championships have grown year on year. Finally, to all four teams competing this weekend – I wish you the very best of luck.”