Corofin's Ronan Steede and Brendan Maher of Borris-Ileigh collected the footballer and hurler Club Player of the Year awards respectively after stellar years in the AIB Club Championships.
The players were honoured last night at the AIB GAA Club Player Awards held at Croke Park. The respective club football and hurling teams of the year were also revealed on the night.
Steede, who starred for the Corofin on their way to claiming a third successive All-Ireland football title, has transferred his form at club level to the inter-county scene in recent months. He has played a pivotal role for Galway in their Allianz National Football League campaign to date, with the Tribesmen currently occupying top spot in Division One.
The @AIB_GAA @officialgaa Club Footballer of the year is.......
RONAN STEEDE!! 👏
The man has been a pillar of consistency for his @CorofinGAA side and his efforts help his side achieve the coveted 3 in-a-row!🔥
Congratulations Ronan 👑 #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/fVlQozrJYR— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) March 6, 2020
"I'm over the moon," Steede said after receiving his award.
"It's a great personal achievement for myself, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates and the club behind me, they really had a great year.
"It was an amazing achievement," Steede commented on Corofin's third final win in a row. "We just go out every year to try and win it but this year just going home and seeing the supporters and celebrating with them really sunk in.
"It meant an awful lot to us, the team, management and the community itself."
As for Brendan Maher, though Borris-Ileigh's historic campaign ended without All-Ireland silverware after a final defeat to Ballyhale Shamrocks, it was still a memorable year for the Tipperary club.
Brendan Maher is the @AIB_GAA @officialgaa Hurler of the Year 👑
What a year the @Borris_GAA man has had! 🔥From conquering @MunsterGAA, to scoring a point with half a Hurley, @BrenMaher8 lorded this years AIB GAA Club Championship! 💪 #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/W3Ho2NTOJt— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) March 6, 2020
"I would have to say the final whistle in the county final was a moment I'll never forget," Maher said last night.
"It was just that build-up of emotion that we had for the number of years. I'm playing senior hurling for Borris-Illeigh since 2005 since I was 16 years of age and just every year you're hoping and you're hoping.
"As you get older then, you start to think 'God, it's probably not going to happen' and then when it happens it's just an absolute explosion of relief and all sorts of emotions."
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