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GAA: Six Club All-Star nominees for Glen as Glass up for Footballer of the Year

Glen trio Ciaran McFaul, Emmet Bradley and Conor Glass have all been awarded club All-Stars.
Author: Gareth McCulloughPublished 5th Mar 2024

The players selected for this year’s AIB GAA Club Players Awards have been announced with All-Ireland champions Glen leading the way on the football team of the year.

In football, the Watty Graham’s men have been honoured with six places on the final 15. Michael Warnock takes his second successive award in defence and is joined by Ryan Dougan and Ciarán McFaul. Their twin towers of Conor Glass and Emmett Bradley are the midfield anchor with the versatile Eunan Mulholland named in the half forward line.

After winning Connacht and then coming so close in the All-Ireland final, St Brigid’s are also well represented with Brian Stack, Pearse Frost and Ruaidhrí Fallon bolstering the defence and livewire Ben O’Carroll in a star-studded attack.

Darragh Kirwan’s prolific run of form in attack for Naas is recognised and so too, is Cork star Brian Hurley for his role with Castlehaven in Munster. Kilmacud Crokes’ lethal pairing of Paul Mannion and Shane Walsh also headline in the team.

American Football goal kicking hopeful Rory Beggan has been named in goal after his hugely influential role for Scotstown in their march to the Ulster final.

In hurling, the Burkes and Cooneys of St Thomas’ backbone the team after their All-Ireland final triumph with the Connacht club also taking six slots.

Munster champions Ballygunner are represented with Dessie Hutchinson winning his third Club Player Award since 2020 with Paddy Leavey honoured for the second year in a row in midfield and Peter Hogan deservedly joining them. The team is completed by the presence of inspirational Cushendall players Paddy Burke at corner back and Neil McManus at top of the left.

The players will be honoured at a special function at Croke Park this Friday, where they will be presented with their awards by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns.

Also announced on the night will be the overall AIB GAA Club Footballer and Hurler of the Year. St Brigid’s star forward Ben O’Carroll, Kilmacud Crokes sharpshooter Shane Walsh and Watty Graham’s inspirational midfielder Conor Glass are the nominees for the football prize.

In hurling, O’Loughin Gaels’ pillars David Fogarty and Paddy Deegan are shortlisted after they spearheaded the Kilkenny champions drive for Croke Park and alongside them is St Thomas’ hero David Burke who was prolific when he was needed most.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “I want to congratulate all the players who have been selected for an AIB GAA Club Players Award. The high calibre of the teams is a reflection of what was another outstanding campaign.

“The club championship is like a Holy Grail at county level, then for a special few there is a shot at provincial success and if you are fortunate enough, the chance for All-Ireland history. Year after year this pursuit of glory by clubs and their communities produces fantastic competition that leaves us enthralled.”

The awards were selected by a panel of Gaelic Games correspondents from across print, broadcast and digital media. The AIB GAA Club Players Awards have been held annually since 2018.

AIB GAA CLUB PLAYERS AWARDS 2023/24

FOOTBALL

  1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
  1. Ryan Dougan (Watty Graham’s, Glen)
  1. Brian Stack (St Brigid’s)
  1. Pearse Frost (St Brigid’s)
  1. Ruaidhrí Fallon (St Brigid’s)
  1. Ciaran McFaul (Watty Graham’s, Glen)
  1. Michael Warnock (Watty Graham’s, Glen)
  1. Conor Glass (Watty Graham’s, Glen)
  1. Emmett Bradley (Watty Graham’s, Glen)
  1. Eunan Mulholland (Watty Graham’s, Glen)
  1. Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes)
  1. Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes)
  1. Ben O’Carroll (St Brigid’s)
  1. Darragh Kirwan (Naas)
  1. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)

AIB GAA CLUB FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Conor Glass

Ben O’Carroll

Shane Walsh

HURLING

  1. Gerald Kelly (St Thomas’)
  1. Paddy Burke (Ruairí Óg, Cushendall)
  1. Fintan Burke (St Thomas’)
  1. Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels)
  1. David Fogarty (O’Loughlin Gaels)
  1. Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels)
  1. Shane Cooney (St Thomas’)
  1. David Burke (St Thomas’)
  1. Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner)
  1. Mark Bergin (O’Loughlin Gaels)
  1. Conor Cooney (St Thomas’)
  1. Peter Hogan (Ballygunner)
  1. Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)
  1. Éanna Burke (St Thomas’)
  1. Neil McManus (Ruairí Óg, Cushendall)

AIB GAA CLUB HURLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Paddy Deegan

David Burke

David Fogarty