AIB GAA Hurling Club Championship Team of the Year

The GAA and AIB are thrilled to announce the AIB GAA Hurling Club Championship Team of the Year, following a captivating season that showcased exceptional individual and team performances. Since 1991, AIB has proudly sponsored the GAA Club Championships, exemplifying its unwavering support for both club players and the communities that nurture them, enabling their remarkable achievements on the pitch. The players will be honoured at the AIB GAA Club Player Awards, marking the second time that the four codes of – Hurling, Football, Camogie, and Ladies Football – are celebrated together.

Ballygunner’s status as the dominant force in club hurling is evident in the newly released AIB GAA Club Players’ Awards. The Waterford, Munster and All-Ireland champions have eight places on the team of the year.

On top of that, the shortlist for AIB GAA Club Hurler of the Year 25/26 is an all Ballygunner affair with teammates Dessie Hutchinson, Paddy Leavey and Stephen O’Keeffe in the running.

Galway champions and All-Ireland finalists Loughrea and St Martin’s of Wexford are also represented on the team of the season and in recognition of the strong contribution they made to another memorable club championship campaign.

AIB has also established the first-ever ‘Moments of the Championship’ award this year, recognising unforgettable instances across the LGFA, Camogie, and GAA Club Championships, which will be presented at the ceremony. The nominees for this new award are: Muckalee LGFA, who remarkably triumphed against the odds to win the AIB LGFA Leinster Junior Championship, before going on to land the AIB All-Ireland Junior title; Katie Rogers of Knockbride LGFA, whose inspiring personal goal ‘To Play in Croke Park’ from her list of things to do before turning 30 became a reality; and Ballymacelligot GAA, who demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship by forming a guard of honour for their West Kerry neighbours, An Ghaeltacht, as they ran onto Croke Park ahead of the AIB GAA All-Ireland Intermediate Final.

Congratulating the winners, Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “The AIB GAA Club Championships stand apart as the toughest club championships in Irish sport. Season after season county campaigns produce epic tales that pour forward to provincial and All-Ireland series matches that leave us in no doubt about the pride of players to represent their home place and leave us in awe of the skill of our players. I want to thank all the players involved and salute those who have been honoured, and I also want to thank AIB for their continuing assistance in making these championships such an integral part of the GAA and Irish sporting calendar.”

AIB Chief Customer Officer, Orlaith Ryan said: “It’s been an exceptional season in the AIB GAA Hurling Club Championships, marked by skill, determination and unforgettable moments. Ballygunner’s title win and Loughrea’s journey to the final embody the spirit and community strength of the competition. Congratulations to all players named on the Team of the Year, and best of luck to the Player of the Year nominees. Their achievements deserve to be celebrated in Croke Park on March 13th.”

After having 22 points to spare over Mount Sion in the Waterford county final, Ballygunner had a tough path to provincial honours and had to overcome three quality teams in Na Piarsaigh of Limerick, Sarsfields of Cork, and Éire Óg Ennis of Clare. Leinster champions St Martin’s asked questions in the semi-final as did Loughrea for long spells in the final. Ultimately however, Ballygunner always had the answers.

A series of superb saves in the All-Ireland final capped another impressive campaign for Ballygunner goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe who is now a five-time winner of this award and the most decorated hurler since the scheme started in 2018.

He is joined in defence by Ian Kenny at full back who wins a third Club Player Award as well as Aaron O’Neill, and Harry Ruddle.

Midfielder Paddy Leavey is another three-time recipient and up-front Peter Hogan wins a second award, Kevin Mahony joins his multi-award-winning brothers Philip and Pauric and Dessie Hutchinson is now a four-time winner.

Loughrea caught the eye with the energy and intensity of their effort, posting impressive numbers when it came to hooks and blocks and tackles and they had the inside finish to match. Shane Morgan and Cullen Killeen were central to that charge and are named at centre back and midfield while up front Anthony Burns impressed as one of the leaders of their attack and saw off stiff competition to be selected.

Brothers Jack and Rory O’Connor used all of their experience and craft to inspire what was a brilliant campaign for St Martin’s once they emerged from Wexford and toppled big names in Leinster. They are joined by defensive lynchpins Joe Barrett and Philip Dempsey to complete the line up.

Dessie Hutchinson, Club Hurler of the Year in 2022, is again shortlisted for the overall award after his attacking displays. The high level of consistency and impact shown by Paddy Leavey and Stephen O’Keeffe secured their overall nomination.

The team was selected by a panel of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, tv and digital media, and the awards will be presented at a special function held at Croke Park on Friday, March 13^th. The AIB Club Players’ Awards will be a gala celebration of the club campaign across the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association and the overall players of the year will be announced live on the night.

AIB GAA CLUB PLAYERS’ AWARDS HURLING 25/26

Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Aaron O’Neill (Ballygunner)
Ian Kenny (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2019, 2022)
Joe Barrett (St Martins)
Harry Ruddle (Ballygunner)
Shane Morgan (Loughrea)
Philip Dempsey (St Martins)
Cullen Killeen (Loughrea)
Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2022, 2024)
Jack O’Connor (St Martins)
Rory O’Connor (St Martins)
Peter Hogan (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2024)
Anthony Burns (Loughrea)
Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner)
Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner) (previous winner in 2020, 2022, 2024)

AIB GAA Club Hurler of the Year Nominees

Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)

Paddy Leavy (Ballygunner)

Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)