Pearses duo named on All-Ireland club team of year

Two Pádraig Pearses players have been recognised for their excellent performances by being selected on the 2021/22 AIB club football championship team.

Pearses and Roscommon star Niall Daly, a teacher in Moate Community School, has been chosen on the team at midfield, with Paul Carey picked at left corner-forward.

Pearses won their first ever Connacht club senior football title last January, defeating Knockmore of Mayo in the provincial decider. The Woodmount based side had defeated Galway's Mountbellew Moylough in a dramatic Connacht semi-final.

The successful Connacht campaign came off the back of their second Roscommon senior title in three years. Managed by former Westmeath and Offaly boss Pat Flanagan, Pearses overcame local rivals Clann na nGael in the Roscommon final.

The Taughmaconnell/Moore side's hopes of reaching the All-Ireland final were ended by Kilmacud Crokes of Dublin.

Meanwhile, Kilcoo’s Eugene Branagan and Ballygunner’s Dessie Hutchinson have been announced as the AIB GAA Club Footballer and Hurler of the year respectively, in recognition of their outstanding exploits in their victorious 2021/22 campaigns.

The football and hurling team lists for the AIB GAA Club Player Awards have been unveiled in Croke Park, with football champions Kilcoo and hurling kingpins Ballygunner both claiming seven slots.

The teams were selected by a panel of national Gaelic games correspondents from across print, broadcast and digital media.

Kilcoo dynamo Branagan was instrumental in ensuring that the Down champions' steady progress in recent years finally saw them reach the promised land of All-Ireland glory after a titanic struggle with Kilmacud Crokes. His all-action style and ability to be in the right place at the right time made him an invaluable resource for the Kilcoo men.

Dessie Hutchinson’s sensational form since his return to hurling lit up the club championship once again and his keen eye for scores helped Waterford’s Ballygunner cast off their ‘nearly men’ tag.

The overall players of the year were presented with their awards by Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy who congratulated all of the players recognised.

“The AIB GAA Club Championship is a gift that keeps giving. Every year, without fail, we are treated to great games and great stories of clubs producing heroics for the glory of the communities and the people they represent,” said McCarthy.

“Since this awards scheme was initiated in 2018 it has allowed us to pay tribute to the outstanding performers who made particularly memorable contributions."

AIB GAA Club Player Awards - Football

1. Niall Kane (Kilcoo)

2. Sam Ryan (St Finbarr’s)

3. Ryan McEvoy (Kilcoo)

4. Dan O’Brien (Kilmacud Crokes)

5. Miceal Rooney (Kilcoo)

6. Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes)

7. Daryl Branagan (Kilcoo - AIB GAA Club Footballer of the Year)

8. Craig Dias (Kilmacud Crokes)

9. Niall Daly (Pádraig Pearses)

10. Ceilum Doherty (Kilcoo)

11. Jerome Johnston (Kilcoo)

12. Eugene Branagan (Kilcoo)

13. Dara Mullin (Kilmacud Crokes)

14. Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s)

15. Paul Carey (Pádraig Pearses).

AIB GAA Club Player Awards - Hurling

1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)

2. Ian Kenny (Ballygunner)

3. Joey Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

4. Fintan Burke (St Thomas’s)

5. Philip Mahony (Ballygunner)

6. Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

7. Darragh Corcoran (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

8. Cormac O’Doherty (Slaughtneil)

9. Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner)

10. Mikey Mahony (Ballygunner)

11. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

12. Billy O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)

13. Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner - AIB GAA Club Hurler of the Year)

14. Brendan Rogers (Slaughtneil)

15. Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks).