35 Years of AIB All Ireland Club Championship Engagement
The build-up to the biggest day in the club calendar is reaching its crescendo as the AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Finals return to Croke Park this Sunday, bringing together the very best of community, commitment and elite performance in Gaelic Games.
To mark the occasion, AIB was joined by players set to contest this weekend’s deciders, each representing the dedication and pride that sit at the heart of the club game. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner), Shane O’Brien (Loughrea), Michael Geaney (Dingle) and Ruaidhrí Fallon (St Brigid’s) stand as powerful symbols of what the championships continue to mean to players, families and communities across Ireland.
The hurling final throws in at 1.30 pm, with Ballygunner facing Loughrea in what promises to be a compelling contest. Ballygunner arrive as Munster champions following a dominant second-half display against St Martin’s of Wexford. Standout performances from Dessie Hutchinson and Pauric Mahony, who both struck seven points, proved decisive in a controlled 0-19 to 0-10 semi-final victory that secured the club’s first All-Ireland final appearance in four years.
Loughrea’s route to the decider followed a similar narrative of second-half authority. After leading Slaughtneil by just two points at the break, the Galway champions surged clear with a blistering spell after the restart, capped by an outstanding goal from Vince Morgan. The result was a commanding 2-22 to 0-15 win and a first appearance on All-Ireland final day since 2007.
The football final follows at 3.40 pm, with Dingle meeting St Brigid’s. Dingle’s semi-final victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s will live long in the memory, an epic contest that required extra time to separate the sides. Trailing by ten points early in the second half, Dingle’s revival was inspired by captain Paul Geaney, introduced at the interval, who scored eight points, including two crucial two-pointers, in a dramatic 1-26 to 1-24 win that booked the club’s first All-Ireland final place.
St Brigid’s secured their return to Croke Park with a gritty 1-16 to 1-12 victory over Scotstown. Their performance was built on defensive resilience, successfully limiting the influence of Rory Beggan’s kick-outs, while goal-line interventions from Ruaidhrí Fallon and Seán Trundle proved pivotal. Paul McGrath’s commanding display helped guide the Roscommon champions to their first final since 2024.
This season marks AIB’s 35th year as sponsor of the All-Ireland Club Championships, a relationship that has become one of the most enduring and influential partnerships in Irish sport. AIB’s support spans all four Gaelic codes, including the AIB Camogie Club Championships and the AIB All-Ireland Ladies Club Football Championships, uniting Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie and Ladies Football under a single sponsorship banner.
Speaking at the launch, AIB Chief Executive Officer Colin Hunt said the closing stages of the season had once again showcased the unique power of the club game. “We’ve been treated to epic encounters filled with unforgettable moments that reflect the dedication of players, staff and the communities that stand behind them,” he said, wishing all finalists the very best ahead of what promises to be a memorable day.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns echoed those sentiments, describing the finals as “the pinnacle of our club game” and a fitting conclusion to a season defined by skill, commitment and community pride.
Sport for Business Perspective
The AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Club Championships remain a benchmark for long-term sports sponsorship in Ireland. AIB’s 35-year commitment demonstrates how sustained investment, aligned with shared values of community and participation, can create authenticity, trust and national impact. By supporting all four Gaelic codes and amplifying “Moments of the Championship” through digital engagement, AIB continues to show how modern sponsorship can connect commercial objectives with cultural significance, ensuring the club game remains a powerful platform for both sport and business alike.
Image Credit: AIB GAA and Inpho.ie
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