AIB today announced the amalgamation of the annual AIB Club Player Awards, a ceremony which honours the remarkable achievements of club players across four codes of the GAA. This is the first time that such a celebration will include players from the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) All-Ireland Club Championships, and the first time that all awards will be distributed at the same ceremony.
The AIB GAA Club Players Awards have been held since 2018 and are selected by a panel of Gaelic Games correspondents from across print, digital and broadcast media. The awards will recognise the Club Championship players as incredible athletes, honouring the talent and dedication that it takes to play for your club, and bringing together the stars of the four codes for a night of celebration and camaraderie.
This September, in a historic move uniting four codes of Gaelic Games under one banner, AIB announced a landmark four-year sponsorship agreement with the LGFA for the All-Ireland Ladies Club Football Championships. This unprecedented partnership underscores AIB's unwavering commitment to Gaelic Games and celebrates the passion and dedication driving clubs across the nation.
The recent multi-year agreement with the LGFA marks the first time a single sponsor has united Football, Hurling, Camogie, and Ladies Football. This October, AIB launched the AIB All-Ireland Club Championship campaign for 2024/2025, the first time featuring one player from the four codes. AIB's #TheToughest campaign will shine a spotlight on the inspiring stories at the heart of these championships, showcasing the dedication, athleticism and honour that make them truly special.
Speaking at the announcement, AIB Chief Executive Officer, Colin Hunt said; “We are delighted to partner with the GAA and Camogie Association once more and create a new relationship with the LGFA for this year’s AIB Club Players Awards. The awards recognise the incredible feats achieved by club players across Ireland. The remarkable effort and determination to achieve success with your clubs epitomises everything that is special about the AIB All-Ireland Club Championships. AIB is very proud to be able to bring these extraordinary athletes together and honour their achievements at our awards ceremony at Croke Park.”
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, added: “The passion and commitment of Gaelic Games players at club level is truly inspiring. These athletes represent the very heart of their communities, and their dedication to their clubs is a testament to the enduring spirit of the GAA. We look forward to joining AIB next year along with players and representatives from all four codes in celebrating their achievements and recognizing their immense contribution to our Games.”
Uachtarán an Cumann Camógaíochta, Brian Molloy, added: “Building on AIB's longstanding support of the Camogie Club Championships, this unified awards ceremony represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best of Camogie alongside our fellow Gaelic Games codes. It's a powerful testament to the growth of our sport and a fitting tribute to the dedication and skill of our remarkable club players.”
Uachtarán Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, Mícheál Naughton added: "Following the exciting announcement of AIB's sponsorship of the LGFA All-Ireland Club Championships, we are delighted to see this partnership further strengthened through the unified AIB Club Player Awards. Bringing together all four codes for this celebration is a truly historic moment, recognising the incredible talent and commitment at the heart of Gaelic Games and further elevating the profile of women's sport."
To keep up to date with the 2024/2025 AIB Club Championships, and for exclusive content from this year’s AIB Club Player Awards, follow @AIB_GAA on Twitter and Instagram, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AIBGAA.