Conor Glass with his AIB GAA Club Footballer of the Year and Football Team of the Year awards at Croke Park. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
O’Loughlin Gaels defensive rock Paddy Deegan and Watty Graham’s Glen’s midfield powerhouse Conor Glass were last night named as the AIB GAA Club Players of the Year 2023/24 after their stellar campaigns in the AIB GAA Hurling and Football Club Championships.
The announcement was made at the end of a special function at Croke Park to honour the teams of players who were earlierthis week announced as the AIB GAA Club Players of the Year.
Paddy Deegan has become an inspirational figure for club and county. Named at centre back on the club hurling team of the year, he was instrumental in O’Loughlin Gael’s dramatic campaign that saw them progress after epic clashes in Kilkenny including the dethroning of All-Ireland champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and then later seeing off Na Fianna in the Leinster final and a tough battle with Ruairí Óg before their memorable dual with St Thomas’ of Galway in the All-Ireland final where they came up just short. Deegan’s calming influence and shrewd interventions were central in the Kilkenny champions having such a long season.
His club mate David Fogarty and St Thomas’ David Burke were also nominated for the overall award.
In football, Conor Glass of Watty Graham’s, Glen added another award to his growing collection of accolades in a career that has rocketed since his return from a stint playing in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is a totemic figure for club and county and his partnership with Emmett Bradley saw both men named on the AIB GAA Club Football Team of the Year. Glass’s ferocious work rate, ability to make match defining contributions and scores saw him stand out – typified by his performance in the last quarter of the All-Ireland club final to overhaul St Brigid’s and claim victory. He was chosen ahead of fellow nominees Shane Walsh of Kilmacud Crokes and Ben O’Carroll of St Brigid’s.
AIB GAA Club Hurler of the Year Paddy Deegan, centre, receives his award from AIB Head of Marketing Engagement Nuala Kroondijk and Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “My congratulations toPaddy and Conor – two players who are natural leaders, and who typified the high quality that we have come to expect from the AIB GAA Club Championships. It is a great honour for the players, their clubs and their families and well deserved. Well done again to all of those who have been honoured on the teams of the year, and our thanks to AIB for their continuing support of these fantastic competitions.”
Commenting on the Awards, AIB Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Doyle said: “The AIB GAA Club Championships have served up an incredible season. Conor Glass and Paddy Deegan are being recognised for their massive efforts and the outputs for their clubs this season. AIB congratulates all 30 players featuring on the AIB GAA Teams of the Year who have represented their communities and clubs this season so well. AIB is very proud to honour these incredible players and we look forward to our 34th season supporting the GAA championships.”
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.This season saw AIB celebrate its 33rd year as a sponsor of the AIB GAA Club Championships, which featured some of #TheToughest players from clubs across Ireland, who take to the field year after year to represent their clubs, teammatesand communities with such pride. AIB is proud to once more be celebrating these players and the teams behind them, from coaches to volunteers, referees and fans, who play such a vital role in sustaining our national games.