O’Loughlin Gaels defensive rock Paddy Deegan and Watty Graham’s Glen’s midfield powerhouse Conor Glass have been named as the AIB GAA Club Players of the Year 2023/24 after their stellar campaigns..

The announcement was made at the end of a special function at Croke Park to honour the teams of players who were earlier this week announced as the AIB GAA Club Players of the Year.

Paddy Deegan has become an inspirational figure for club and county. Named at centre back on the club hurling team of the year, and a scorer of crucial scores all year, he was instrumental in O’Loughlin Gael’s dramatic campaign that saw them progress after epic clashes in Kilkenny including the dethroning of All-Ireland champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and then later seeing off Na Fianna in the Leinster final and a tough battle with Ruairí Óg before their memorable dual with St Thomas’ of Galway in the All-Ireland final where they came up just short. Deegan’s calming influence and shrewd interventions were central in the Kilkenny champions having such a long season.

His club mate David Fogarty and St Thomas’ David Burke were also nominated for the overall award.

In football, Conor Glass of Watty Graham’s, Glen added another award to his growing collection of accolades in a career that has rocketed since his return from a stint playing in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is a totemic figure for club and county and his partnership with Emmett Bradley saw both men named on the AIB GAA Club Football Team of the Year. Glass’s ferocious work rate, ability to make match defining contributions and scores saw him stand out – typified by his performance in the last quarter of the All-Ireland club final to overhaul St Brigid’s and claim victory. He was chosen ahead of fellow nominees Shane Walsh of Kilmacud Crokes and Ben O’Carroll of St Brigid’s.

GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “My congratulations to Paddy and Conor – two players who are natural leaders, and who typified the high quality that we have come to expect from the AIB GAA Club Championships. It is a great honour for the players, their clubs and their families and well deserved. Well done again to all of those who have been honoured on the teams of the year, and our thanks to AIB for their continuing support of these fantastic competitions.”

AIB GAA CLUB PLAYERS AWARDS 2023/24

FOOTBALL

Rory Beggan (Scotstown)

Ryan Dougan (Watty Graham’s, Glen)

Brian Stack (St Brigid’s)

Pearse Frost (St Brigid’s)

Ruaidhrí Fallon (St Brigid’s)

Ciaran McFaul (Watty Graham’s, Glen)

Michael Warnock (Watty Graham’s, Glen)

Conor Glass (Watty Graham’s, Glen)

Emmett Bradley (Watty Graham’s, Glen)

Eunan Mulholland (Watty Graham’s, Glen)

Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes)

Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes)

Ben O’Carroll (St Brigid’s)

Darragh Kirwan (Naas)

Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)

AIB GAA CLUB FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

Conor Glass (Watty Graham’s, Glen, Derry)

 

HURLING

Gerald Kelly (St Thomas’)

Paddy Burke (Ruairí Óg, Cushendall)

Fintan Burke (St Thomas’)

Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels)

David Fogarty (O’Loughlin Gaels)

Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels)

Shane Cooney (St Thomas’)

David Burke (St Thomas’)

Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner)

Mark Bergin (O’Loughlin Gaels)

Conor Cooney (St Thomas’)

Peter Hogan (Ballygunner)

Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)

Éanna Burke (St Thomas’)

Neil McManus (Ruairí Óg, Cushendall)

AIB GAA CLUB HURLER OF THE YEAR

Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny)

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