Sean Dolans of Derry were the surprise overall winners of the AIB Club of the Year award announced today at Croke Park. The club will receive a £5,000 development grant, along with a £1,000 prize for winning the Ulster title. When added to the £500 received for winning their county competition, the Derry outfit will carry off a total pot of £6,500.
Sean Dolans have over 400 playing members, but have not won the award because of weight of numbers alone. The club has also forged an excellent relationship with the surrounding community, one of the criteria laid down by the GAA and the AIB when the scheme was launched in March of last year.
The other provincial winners were Thomas Davis (Dublin and Leinster), An Rhua Mor (Waterford and Munster), and Oranmore (Galway and Connacht).
To enter the competition, clubs had to fill out a questionnaire, detailing their achievements in four key areas. These were Promotion of gaelic games, participation of club officials in the comhairle scheme, coaching structures and contribution to the local community.
County winners:
Antrim: Tir naOg, Armagh: Crossmaglen Rangers, Carlow: Eire Og Cavan: Kingscourt, Clare: Wolfe Tones, Cork: Blarney, Derry: Sean Dolan's Donegal: Ardara, Down: Clonduff, Dublin: Thomas Davis, Fermanagh: Devenish, Galway: Oranmore, Kerry: Dr Crokes, Kildare: Moorefield Kilkenny: Emerald's, Laois: St Fintan's, Leitrim: Melvin Gaels, Limerick: Doon, Longford: Clonguish, Louth: St Mary's, Meath: Simonstown Gaels Mayo: Ballintubber, Monaghan: Naomh Mhuire, Offaly: St Rynagh's Roscommon: Kilglass Gaels, Sligo: Calry St Joseph's, Tipperary: Drom Inch, Tyrone: St Dymphna's, Waterford: An Ruan Mhór, Westmeath: Naomh Lomaín, Wexford: St Anne's, Wicklow: Baltinglass.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
