Branagan named Club Player of the Year

Wednesday 4th May 2022

Kilcoo's Eugene Branagan was officially announced as the AIB GAA Club Footballer of the year in recognition of his outstanding exploits in Kilcoos victorious 2021/22 club campaign.

The news comes as the full football for the AIB GAA Club Player Awards were unveiled in Croke Park and where the All-Ireland champions were strongly represented with seven slots.  Kilcoo dynamo Branagan was instrumental at ensuring that the Down champions steady progress in recent years finally saw them reach the Promised Land of All-Ireland glory after a titanic struggle with Kilmacud Crokes. His all-action style and ability to be in the right place at the right time made him an invaluable resource for the club football kingpins.

Kilcoo goalkeeper Niall Kane was the unanimous choice, and he is joined in defence by Ryan McEvoy, Miceal Rooney and Daryl Branagan.

Eugene Branagan was a credible choice in a multitude of positions such was his roving role and influence, but he is named at left half forward and in doing so completes an impressive all-Kilcoo three quarter line with Ceilum Doherty and Jerome Johnston.

Veteran Kilmacud Crokes star Rory O’Carroll is named at centre back and is joined by three more colleagues from the Stillorgan club in the versatile Dan O’Brien, strong running Craig Dias and forward star Dara Mullin.

Cork and Munster champions St Finbarr’s have had their memorable march to the All-Ireland semi-finals recognised in awards for Sam Ryan in the full-back line and in full-forward Steven Sherlock.

Roscommon and Connacht champions Padraig Pearse’s are represented by powerful midfielder Niall Daly and sharp inside forward Paul Carey.

The teams were selected by a panel of national Gaelic games correspondents from across, print, broadcast and digital media.

AIB GAA CLUB PLAYER AWARDS - FOOTBALL TEAM 2022
Niall Kane (Kilcoo)
Sam Ryan (St Finbarr’s)
Ryan McEvoy (Kilcoo)
Dan O’Brien (Kilmacud Crokes)
Miceal Rooney (Kilcoo)
Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes)
Daryl Branagan (Kilcoo) *Previous winner in 2020
Craig Dias (Kilmacud Crokes)
Niall Daly (Pádraig Pearse’s)
Ceilum Doherty (Kilcoo)
Jerome Johnston (Kilcoo)
Eugene Branagan (Kilcoo)
Dara Mullin (Kilmacud Crokes)
Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s)
Paul Carey (Pádraig Pearse’s)

AIB GAA CLUB FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR – Eugene Branagan (Kilcoo)