When you hear the word tough, this is who they mean
So we might still be in January and for some GAA clubs they’re just beginning to dust down the cones and tackle bags ahead of another inter-county season. However, for some their season hasn’t stopped, and Christmas just got in the way of training and preparing for the next stage in the AIB All-Ireland Club Championships.
Today in Croke Park the best players to help their clubs to the penultimate stages of the All-Ireland series have been revealed and they include some of the country’s finest GAA talent.
Ger Brennan
All-Ireland champions St Vincent’s have emerged from the Dublin championship with their Leinster and All-Ireland titles intact and that is largely down to the totemic presence of Ger Brennan at centre back. The captain has been the foundation of Vinnie’s excellent play and will be hoping to make the short journey to Croke Park on March 17th
Gary Sice
One man hoping to end the Dublin champions hopes will be Gary Sice as his Corofin side take the Andy Merrigan holders in the last four. Sice is a central figure for the 16-time Galway champions, and will be hoping they can end their bad run of form in the last four of the club championship with a win on February 14th.
Kieran Donaghy
Kerry teams don’t usually worry too much about being involved in All-Ireland semi finals but it might be a litle bit different for Austin Stacks this year. The Tralee side haven’t been outside of Munster since 1976 but a key part of their autumn success is Kerry legend Kieran Donaghy. The forward has carried the form he showed in the later stages of the race for Sam Maguire into an historic club campaign for his beloved ‘Rockies.
Patsy Bradley
Slaughneil are even less experienced than their Kerry opposition next month but that hasn’t stopped them in bursting out of Ulster through hard work and no little skill. At the heart of the team is the granite figure of Patsy Bradley, who has driven the team on from his role at centre-field. in ateam of Bradley’s,some related,he is one of the club’s shining lights.
TJ Reid
When Henry Shefflin eventually does hang up his hurl at least Ballyhale Shamrocks know they have a ready made replacement. TJ Reid is the club’s scorer in chief and as captain this year has had the joy of lifting the county title on his birthday and playing a key role in their extra time win over Kilcormac-Killoughey in the Leinster final. Reid is the conductor of the Kilkenny champions incredible orchestra of talent.
Paul Braniff
Portaferry face a 350km trip for their All-Irland semi final next month to Thulres. It’s doubtful it’s even crossed the mind of their full forward Paul Braniff who has been key in their Ulster title success. The Down inter-county star is set to be the central focus of the club’s efforts to try and seal a place in a maiden All-Ireland club final on March 17th.
Paudie O’Brien
Kilmallock’s Paudie O Brien knows all about heartbreak but has gained redemption through his inspirational performances for Kilmallock as they came through one of the most epic Munster finals in recent memory agsint Cartloe before Christmas.The team captain was just going to be beaten and his stubborness and skill level was a key feature of their quest for Springtime glory
Anna Geary
