SLAUGHTNEIL duo Chrissy McKaigue and Brendan Rogers have been named in the AIB Club Hurling Allstar selection following another memorable campaign for the Derry and Ulster champions.
Rogers collects his second award having been named on the 2018 selection while McKaigue picks up his first hurling award after being named on the football team of 2018.
After winning their third provincial title in four years, Mickey McShane’s men suffered an agonizing 2-24 to 2-10 defeat in an epic All-Ireland battle with eventual champions Ballyhale Shamrocks in Newry back in January.
Unsurprisingly, the Kilkenny kingpins dominate this year’s selection along with beaten All-Ireland finalists Borris-Ileigh of Tipperary.
Similar to the football selection announced yesterday, there are five clubs represented in all.
The back-to-back All-Ireland champions are represented by defenders Joey Holden, Darren Mullen and Evan Shefflin while attackers TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly are included among the forwards.
Elsewhere, the impressive Shane Cooney from St Thomas’ in Galway is included along with Martin Kavanagh from St Mullin’s of Carlow and Ballygunner ace Dessie Hutchinson.
Kilkenny and Ballyhale star TJ Reid is also shortlisted for the AIB Club Hurler of the Year award along with his colleague Evan Shefflin and Borris-Ileigh’s Brendan Maher.
The awards will be presented at a banquet in Croke Park on Friday night with the Player of the Year awards being announced live on the night.
Congratulating the winners, GAA President John Horan said: “In the space of three short years these awards recognising the AIB GAA club players of the year have become a prestigious honour and this year’s selection is comprised of players who left a major mark on another entertaining and memorable club campaign.
“To win something with your club is truly special because it is where we begin and where we finish and year after year this competition illustrates the importance of the club to the community and the people they represent. These players went above and beyond in their endeavours.
“I want to congratulate all of the players who have been honoured with a place on this team. I want to also extend our thanks to Denis O’Callaghan and our long-standing supporters in AIB for their commitment to this competition which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Denis O’Callaghan, Head of Customer Management, AIB, added: “AIB is proud to celebrate its 29th year sponsoring the Club Championships, and to partner with the GAA for the third time for the AIB GAA Club Players Awards. The awards recognise the incredible feats achieved by club players across Ireland who reached the AIB GAA Club Championships.
“We are proud to announce the AIB GAA Club Hurling Team of the Year. The skill and talent displayed by these players puts their communities on the national stage. To be named on the Club Hurling Team of the Year is a real honour, and an immense source of pride for their families, communities and clubs.”
“On behalf of AIB I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each of the winners and to thank the national and regional sports media for taking the time to cast their votes and for their continued support for the AIB GAA Club Championships."
Club Hurling Allstars:
1. James McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
2. Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh)
3. Joseph Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks) *Previous winner in 2019
4. Darren Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
5. Evan Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
6. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
7. Shane Cooney (St Thomas)
8. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
9. Christopher McKaigue (Slaughtneil)
10. Brendan Rogers (Slaughtneil) *Previous winner in 2018
11. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks) *Previous winner in 2019
12. Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh)
13. Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)
14. Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks) *Previous winner in 2019
15. Martin Kavanagh (St Mullins)
