AIB All-Ireland Club Senior Finals take Centre Stage at Croke Park;

The 2024/25 AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Club Championships draw to a close as Sarsfields take on Na Fianna in the hurling final while Errigal Ciarán face off against Cuala in the football final. All four clubs will travel to Croke Park on Sunday, January 19th for a chance to claim their first ever AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Club Championship adding extra excitement to what should be two thrilling finals. To celebrate the finals, AIB will host the ultimate Club House experience at Croke Park, inviting fans to take in the immersive environment honouring the dedication of club athletes, the rich history of both codes and the power and passion of club hurling and football.

The AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship final between Sarsfields (Cork), and Na Fianna (Dublin) will get proceedings underway in Croke Park at 1.30pm. Following their emphatic win in the Munster final against Ballygunner, Sarsfields overcame a tense semi-final against Ulster Champions Slaughtneil on a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-17 to book their place in the final. Na Fianna overcame a four-point half time deficit against Loughrea in their semi-final to prevail by a single point. Colin Currie was the star of the day, scoring ten points, while it was AJ Murphy’s 64th minute point that sealed Na Fianna’s place in the final.

The AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship final sees Errigal Ciarán (Tyrone) take on Cuala (Dublin) at 3.40pm. The Tyrone club overcame Munster Champions Dr Crokes in an exciting semi-final, which ended 2-18 to 1-18 after extra time. Errigal Ciarán’s victory was inspired by the Canavan brothers Darragh and Ruairi, who between them kicked 1-13, while Joe Oguz’ goal in extra time proved to be the difference between the sides. Cuala will be aiming to become the fifth Dublin club to win the senior club football All-Ireland title and just the second club to win senior All-Ireland titles in both football and hurling, alongside St Finbarr’s from Cork. The Dublin County champions beat Coolera-Strandhill by 0-14 to 0-9 in the semi-final following a fantastic display from Con O’Callaghan, who finished the game with five points.

Club action doesn’t finish this Sunday as the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Junior Club Championship final will take place next Sunday, January 26th when An Cheathrú Rua (Galway) come up against Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin (Donegal). An Cheathrú Rua reached the final following a 1-9 to 0-11 points win over Ballinagar. It was substitute Paudie Mac Cormaic who scored a sensational point in stoppage time to separate the sides. In the other semi-final it took 80 minutes of football and a penalty shootout to separate Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin and Kilmurry. It’s a result which will see Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin play in their first ever AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Junior Club Championship final on Sunday, January 26th.

The AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Championships consistently showcase #TheToughest players, drawn from communities across the nation. Now in its 34th year, AIB’s sponsorship celebrates the vital role these communities play in nurturing the passion and excitement of Gaelic Games. This year, AIB further strengthened its commitment by expanding its sponsorship to include Ladies Football, making history as the first Gaelic Games sponsor to unite Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, and Ladies Football under one sponsorship.

This season, AIB also launched ‘The Toughest Traits’ series, showcasing the sacrifices that club players make to be able to represent their communities with distinction and highlight what it truly means to be #TheToughest. From gruelling training sessions to demanding work schedules and the constant pressure to perform, these athletes go above and beyond. Kieran Read, with 12 years of experience at the highest level of professional rugby, shadows the players on their day-to-day lives, offering a unique insider’s perspective. The first two episodes of ‘The Toughest Traits’ are available now at the AIB YouTube channel, @AIB, with the remaining two episodes to be released on January 16th, and 23rd.

Commenting on the upcoming action, AIB’s Chief Customer Officer, Orlaith Ryan said: “This year’s AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Championships have been absolutely thrilling, culminating in some truly unique final pairings. We’re seeing history being made with first-time appearances and some exciting new chapters in GAA history being written. AIB is incredibly proud to be a part of these moments, celebrating the heart and soul of Gaelic Games, Camogie and Ladies Football with the players, the communities, the volunteers and supporters. We’re all looking forward to witnessing the drama unfold in Croke Park and the best of luck to all the clubs involved.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, stated: “These AIB GAA All-Ireland finals represent the culmination of a season of incredible skill, determination, and community spirit. The teams who have battled their way to Croke Park have shown the very best of what the GAA represents. We anticipate some truly thrilling contests with this year’s matchups, promising some truly unforgettable moments for players and fans alike. We wish all the finalists the very best of luck in what are sure to be fiercely contested battles.”

Munster GAA to Host Online Club Officer Training

 

Munster GAA will hold an online Club Officer Training session on Thursday, 16th January, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. This event is designed to provide valuable insights and resources for both existing and newly appointed club officers.

The training aims to support officers in fulfilling their voluntary roles effectively, including positions such as Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, PRO, and Coaching Officer. Participants will gain practical advice and guidance to help them excel in their duties and contribute to the smooth running of their clubs.

Club Officers are encouraged to register for the training via the official GAA Learning platform:
👉 https://learning.gaa.ie/officertrainingcalendar

This is an excellent opportunity for club officers to enhance their skills, share experiences, and strengthen their knowledge base for the year ahead. Don’t miss out!

FRC Rule Enhancements Explainer Video

 

Football Review Committee members Jim Gavin, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, and James Horan explain the new rule enhancements for 2025.

FRC chairperson Jim Gavin explains the reasons why the committee was established and the vision to help Gaelic Games become the most enjoyable amateur games in the world to play and watch.

This video should help to familiarise yourself with the new rules.

Watch the FRC committee members break down each new enhancement in our latest explainer video.

Russell Rovers’ Brave Effort Falls Short in All-Ireland Junior Hurling Final

Russell Rovers fought valiantly in the AIB All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship final but were edged out by Kilkenny’s St Lachtain’s, 1-18 to 0-16, at Croke Park.

Despite an early goal from Shane Donnelly giving St Lachtain’s the edge, Russell Rovers stayed competitive throughout. Josh Beausang was pivotal, opening the scoring and contributing crucial frees, while captain Ciarán Sheehan inspired with key points. Wing-backs James Kennefick and Fintan Murray also impressed.

However, a 15-minute scoring drought in the first half and missed opportunities, including a saved goal attempt by Brian Hartnett, proved costly. St Lachtain’s, led by a towering performance from Brian Kennedy, maintained their lead with excellent scoring from Liam Hickey, Shane Donnelly, and goalkeeper Darren Brennan, who was named man-of-the-match.

A late surge by Russell Rovers, including points from Luke Duggan Murray and Beausang, narrowed the gap to three, but time ran out.

While the result was disappointing, Russell Rovers showcased immense heart and skill, representing Cork with pride on the national stage.

Scorers for St Lachtain’s: S Donnelly (1-1), L Hickey (0-1 free, 0-1 sl) and A Rafter (0-3 each), C Hickey and J Maher (0-2 each), B Kennedy, B Quinn, M Donnelly, P Killeen, D Brennan (free), D Maher and C O’Leary (0-1 each).

Scorers for Russell Rovers: J Beausang (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), L Duggan Murray (0-2), J Kennefick, F Murray, K Moynihan, C Sheehan, J McGrath and M O’Dwyer (0-1 each).

ST LACHTAIN’S: D Brennan; S Rafter, C Bergin (Capt), S Dawson; P Donnelly, B Kennedy, C Hickey; B Quinn, M Donnelly; A Rafter, P Killeen, C O’Leary; S Donnelly, J Maher, L Hickey.

Subs: D Maher for C O’Leary (51), J Fitzpatrick for J Maher (52), C Dawson for S Donnelly (57), J Bergin for A Rafter (62).

RUSSELL ROVERS: R Walsh; E O’Sullivan, P Cummins, K Tattan; F Murray, P Lane, J Kennefick; K Walsh, R Cummins; L Duggan Murray, K Moynihan, D Ruddy; B Hartnett, C Sheehan (Capt), J Beausang.

Subs: M O’Dwyer for P Lane (28 inj), J McGrath for D Ruddy (half-time), K O’Brien for K Moynihan (57).

Referee: Peter Owens (Down).

Desmond nets decisive goal for Watergrasshill

AIB Club IHC: Desmond nets decisive goal for Watergrasshill

All-Ireland Club IHC Final

Watergrasshill 2-15 Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 0-18

By Kevin Egan at Croke Park

The knife-edge nature of sport, and how the break of the ball can make all the difference in the world, was plain to see in the dramatic finish that crowned a memorable AIB All-Ireland IHC final this afternoon at Croke Park.

A spellbinding hour’s hurling ended with Watergrasshill crowned the All-Ireland champions thanks to Seán Desmond’s winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry, who had , dug and foraged their way back into the game, will know that it could just as easily have gone their way.

The last minute of the five that referee Colm McDonald added on, began with Shane Fitzpatrick sending a long delivery into the left corner of the Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry attack, aimed at Paul Killeen.

Watergrasshill corner-back Shane Field put up his hurl and the sliotar skidded off it towards his own goal, but close enough for the defender to gather and play it on to Anthony Cronin.

In a piece of cruel symmetry, Cronin’s long strike deflected off the outstretched hurl of Fitzpatrick, also towards his own goal, but this worked out perfectly for Desmond, who was now left with just goalkeeper Brendan Lynch to beat.

With history there to be written, the rangy attacker fired the ball inside the Galwayman’s near post, and Watergrasshill were crowned as the first Cork club to win this title since Kanturk seven years ago.

It was a heartbreaking finale from a Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry perspective, after they had to grind out a painstaking comeback, despite making no impact close to the Watergrasshill goal. After making an explosive start to lead by 0-4 to 0-1, with David Jordan pointing after 12 seconds and Kevin Moloney adding another excellent score off the stick, Watergrasshill took over, and looked to be much the more potent side.

Seán Desmond and Adam Murphy were outstanding along the spine of the North Cork club’s attack, picking off some majestic points. Murphy also struck a goal while Garry McHugo did brilliantly to deny Brendan Lehane another green flag, but the pressure continued to mount at the Davin End.

It fell to Paul Killeen to stride forward and split the uprights against the run of play before half-time to make it 1-8 to 0-7, leaving a little chink of light for Mattie Kenny’s side.

Whatever the former Galway and Dublin county manager said to his home club men at the interval, it worked. They dialled up the intensity and fervour in defence, they got much more pressure on Watergrasshill players in possession, and their attacking strategy for the third quarter was simple – find a way to get Shane Moloney on the ball in a position to shoot.

In the third quarter, Moloney shot six points the other 29 players on the field struck one between them, that from Murphy after he blocked down a Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry clearance.

In fact, such was Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry’s dependence on Moloney that it wasn’t until the 49th minute, when Ben Moran pointed a free from out on the Hogan Stand sideline, that any of the starting six forwards for the Connacht champions had a shot on goal.

Moran quickly made up for lost time however, tacking on four points in the closing stages, including a memorable equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time.

By that stage of the game, Watergrasshill had found their feet again. Murphy was devastating from open play, but he did miss three scorable dead ball chances, however at least the opportunities were being created and he – along with Desmond and Dylan Roche, got the scores that left the contest so delicately poised, ready to be seized by whichever team would be able to take advantage of the break of the ball, if it fell their way.

This afternoon, that team was Watergrasshill.

Scorers for Watergrasshill: Adam Murphy 1-8 (2fs, 1 65), Seán Desmond 1-3, Anthony Cronin 0-1, Brendan Lehane 0-1, Pádraig O’Leary 0-1, Dylan Roche 0-1.

Scorers for Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry: Shane Moloney 0-10 (4fs, 1 sideline), Ben Moran 0-4 (2fs), David Jordan 0-1, Kevin Moloney 0-1, Paul Killeen 0-1, Niall Moloney 0-1.

Watergrasshill: Aiden Foley; Shane Field, Dylan McCarthy, Ian O’Callaghan; Aaron Spriggs, Daire O’Leary, Kevin O’Neill; Anthony Cronin, Shane O’Regan; Ciarán O’Leary, Seán Desmond, Liam Foley; Brendan Lehane, Adam Murphy, Pádraig O’Leary.

Subs: Dylan Roche for Foley (46), Patrick Cronin for Spriggs (49), James McCarthy for O’Leary (60).

Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry: Brendan Lynch; Garry McHugo, Micheál Power, John Whelan; Shane Fitzpatrick, David Jordan, Kevin Moloney; Shane Moloney, Paul Killeen; Ben Moran, Johnny Conroy, Niall Moloney; Pádraig Breheny, John Dervan, Conor Jordan.

Subs: Patrick McHugo for Power (30-30+2, temp), Niall Quirke for Jordan (53).

Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim).