AIB, sponsor to both the GAA and Camogie Club Championships, has honoured eleven club players from Camogie, Hurling and Football at #TheToughest club player awards. Voted for by national and regional GAA media, the players were selected based on their overall performance throughout the 2014/15 club season.
Limerick’s Paudie O’Brien picked up the Munster award for his performances with Limerick club Kilmallock in 2014. O’Brien, a half back with the ability to go into all-out attack, is also able sit back and read the game as required making him a dynamic player. Not to mention his capability of hitting long range points when needed.
Up north, it was Portaferry’s Paul Braniff that claimed the Ulster award after the recently retired Down star helped his club to their first Ulster title in eight attempts.
Kilkenny man TJ Reid was the runaway selection for Leinster’s Toughest Player after a hugely successful year for the Ballyhale Shamrocks player. Reid scored 10 points as his club beat Clara 1-20 to 1-13 in the Kilkenny County Championship, and repeated the feat by scoring 10 points in the Leinster Final as he captained Ballyhale to their seventh Leinster title.
Mullagh’s Rachel Monaghan was the first star to be honoured at the ceremony hosted in Croke Park. The Galway girl took home the Connacht camogie award ahead of her side’s clash with fellow award winner; Anna Geary of Munster’s Milford. The two teams will meet in the Semi-Finals on Sunday the 1st of February where Milford will continue their pursuit for a third AIB Senior Club Camogie title in as many years.
The Ulster camogie accolade was awarded to Racquel McCarry of Loughiel Shamrocks. Racquel is widely regarded as one of the most skilful camogie players in the country, having helped Loughiel Shamrocks to the Ulster title with a player of the match performance.
Stacey Kehoe, one of three sets of twins that line out for Oulart The Ballagh, received the Leinster award for her performance over the season to date. The Wexford team claimed its fifth Leinster Club Camogie title in six years, a game where Stacey’s 1-2 was pivotal.
In the football, Corofin’s Gary Sice was named Connacht’s Toughest Player. The long serving clubman helped the Galway side to their 16th county title and then overcome a strong Ballintubber side 2-13 to 1-7 in the Connacht Final, scoring 1-2 in the game.
Patsy Bradley was nominated for the Ulster award in recognition of the key role he played in his club Slaughtneil’s qualification and subsequent triumph at the Ulster Final. The team claimed its first Ulster Club title beating Monaghan’s Clontibret but Patsy showed true commitment to his club as less than 24 hours after winning he was back coaching the youth sides on the importance of the overhead catch.
Back to back Dublin and Leinster titles saw St. Vincent’s captain Ger Brennan received the Leinster award. Brennan is one of the toughest defenders in the game and will have his mind set firmly on the Semi-Final against Corofin on the 14th of February.
The Munster football award went to Austin Stacks player Kieran Donaghy. One of Kerry’s standout players during last season’s All-Ireland Championship, the Tralee man has carried his form into the Club Championship and has helped Stacks to the Kerry and Munster titles. Donaghy has won just about everything the game has to offer, there is however one medal that he has yet to hang around his neck and he will be hoping his form sees himself, and his club, through to the Final on March 17th.
Speaking at the AIB #TheToughest Player Awards, Denis O’Callaghan, Head of AIB Branch Banking said “AIB are delighted to honour some of the country’s greatest club camogie, hurling and football stars at our annual #TheToughest player awards. There have been some great games in the competition so far, and I think everyone is looking forward to all the up and coming Semi-Finals over the coming weeks”.
Denis continued “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the national and regional GAA media for taking the time to cast their votes and for their continued support for the AIB GAA club championships competition.”
For exclusive content and to see why the AIB Club Championships is the ‘Toughest of them all’ follow us @AIB_GAA and #theToughest
2014/15 AIB #TheToughest Award Winners
CAMOGIE
Connacht – Rachel Monaghan, Mullagh
Leinster – Stacey Kehoe, Oulart The Ballagh
Munster – Anna Geary, Milford
Ulster – Racquel McCarry, Loughiel Shamrocks
FOOTBALL
Connacht – Gary Sice, Corofin
Leinster – Ger Brennan, St. Vincent’s
Munster – Kieran Donaghy, Austin Stacks
Ulster – Patsy Bradley, Slaughtneil
HURLING
Leinster – TJ Reid, Ballyhale Shamrocks
Munster – Paudie O’Brien, Kilmallock
Ulster – Paul Braniff, Portaferry
