Nemo Rangers’ Billy Morgan, Crossmaglen’s Aaron Kernan, James Stephens’ Eoin Larkin and Ballinteer St.John’s Coman Goggins joined forces today to launch the inaugural AIB GAA Club Player Awards.

For the past 21 years, AIB has celebrated club players through the AIB GAA Provincial Club Player Awards. Following on from the success of this initiative, and in response to a recommendation from Donegal county board in 2017, AIB and the GAA have come together to evolve and elevate a national awards programme recognising the contribution of club players to Gaelic games, through the creation of the AIB GAA Club Players' Awards.

The awards ceremony, to be held in Croke Park on Saturday 21st April, will recognise the top performing players in the AIB Club Championships 2017/2018 season in both football and hurling at provincial and All-Ireland level, and will celebrate their hard work, commitment and individual contribution to their club jerseys.

The Club Football and Hurling Team of the Years, comprised of one goalkeeper, six defenders, two midfielder and six forwards, will be celebrated at the awards ceremony, that will also see the Club Footballer and Hurler of the Year announced.  The Teams of the Year were selected by a judging panel chaired by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan, from nominations secured from voting by regional and national sports media.

AIB, having sponsored the All-Ireland Club Championship for 27 years, back the key role GAA clubs, their players, volunteers and supporters play in communities right around Ireland. Without Clubs there would be no County. AIB are delighted to collaborate with the GAA to honour the very best of Ireland’s club GAA players.

Speaking at the AIB GAA Club Player Awards launch, Coman Goggins, AIB Sports Programme Manager said: “AIB are proud to have been involved with the All-Ireland Club Championships for a 27th year. We are thrilled to have an opportunity to be involved in an awards ceremony that celebrates the GAA’s best club players and the hard work, commitment and dedication that allows them wear their club jerseys with such distinction in what is the #TheToughest club championship of all. On behalf of AIB I also want to take this opportunity to thank the national and regional sports media for their time and input into the AIB GAA Club Player Awards and for their continued support for the AIB GAA Club Championships.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan, added: “This year’s AIB Club Championships were a fantastic treat for the clubs involved and their supporters and also the wider GAA community. We have witnessed some superb fixtures throughout the season, and it seems apt that we are now celebrating the excellence and skill of our club players through holding the inaugural AIB GAA Club Players' Awards.

"AIB are long-time sponsors of the Club Championships and we are delighted to join forces with them on what believe is a very important awards scheme. There is nothing greater than lining out for your local club and achieving glory with teammates you have grown up with. I look forward to celebrating our AIB GAA Club Hurling and Football Teams of the Year.”