Shane Cunningham and Joey Holden named Club Players of the Year

Shane Cunningham of Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) and Joey Holden of Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) have been named as the AIB GAA Club Footballer of the Year and Hurler of the Year respectively at Croke Park this evening.

The Players of the Year received their awards alongside this season’s club football and hurling teams of the year, with 30 players recognised for their impressive displays throughout the senior club provincial and All-Ireland championships.

The football team of the year had seven representatives from All-Ireland Club champions, Kilmacud Crokes, with six players from finalists, Watty Grahams Glen, and one player apiece from Connacht champions Moycullen and Munster victors, Kerins O’Rahillys.

The hurling team of the year was dominated by Ballyhale Shamrocks with nine players selected, with three players from beaten finalists Dunloy also included as well as three representatives from Munster champions Ballygunner.

Notching two vital points for his club in the final, as well as winning the crucial first half penalty on the day, Cunningham has been on-song for Crokes throughout the season.

Holden was a standout for Ballyhale from the full-back line this season as they overcame last year’s champions, Ballygunner, in the semi-final and Dunloy of Antrim in the final on their road to a third All-Ireland title in four seasons.