Three Dunloy players featured on the AIB GAA Club Hurling Team of the Year of the year following a momentous year.
Conal Cunning, Ryan McGarry and Kevin Molloy all picked up awards after a year which saw the Cúchullains lift their fourth Antrim title in a row and secure their first Ulster title since 2010.
They made their way to fifth All-Ireland final where they lost to Ballyhale Shamrock. Ballyhale star Joey Holden was named AIB GAA Club Hurler of the Year
The surefooted full-back collected his fifth AIB GAA All-Ireland Hurling Senior Club medal this year, adding to an already stellar career with Ballyhale Shamrocks.
A physical and incredibly consistent player, Holden has been a standout for the Kilkenny outfit from the full-back line this season. The Shamrocks overcame last year’s AIB GAA All-Ireland Hurling Club champions, Ballygunner, in the semi-final and Dunloy in the final on their road to glory.
Holden’s consistently dominant performances, and his influential leadership both on and off the pitch, have been central to the Kilkenny club’s sixth All-Ireland title and Tommy Moore cup in seven years.
The AIB GAA Club Player Awards returned once more this year to celebrate the unrivalled achievements of club Gaelic football and hurling players across the country. The event, held on Friday, March 10th at Croke Park, welcomed the country’s top club players to GAA HQ to acknowledge their outstanding achievements throughout the 2022/23 AIB GAA Club Championship season. This year’s FOTY and HOTY recipients demonstrated exceptional leadership and skill throughout #TheToughest of battles this season, significantly contributing to their team’s success.
Commenting on the Awards, AIB Chief Executive Officer Colin Hunt said: “The AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Championships have delivered yet another incredible season of action and excitement. We are delighted to be able to recognise both Shane Cunningham and Joey Holden this evening for the fantastic effort and commitment that they have given to their clubs this season. We would also like to extend our congratulations to all 30 players who have been named across the AIB GAA Club Team of the Years this week. AIB is honoured to be celebrating our 32nd year backing the GAA Club Championships, and is very proud to be able to honour these inspirational players here tonight following another incredibly unique and memorable season.”
AIB GAA CLUB HURLING TEAM OF THE YEAR
Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
Killian Corcoran (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Joey Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Ryan McGarry (Dunloy)
Kevin Molloy (Dunloy)
Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Darragh Corcoran (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Conor Sheehan (Ballygunner)
Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)
Conal Cunning (Dunloy)
Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Patrick Fitzgerald (Ballygunner)
AIB GAA CLUB HURLER OF THE YEAR
Joey Holden - Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny)
