AIB today marked the 26th season of their proud sponsorship of the GAA Club Championship by teaming up with Shane Dowling, Na Piarsaigh and Limerick hurler; Ryan McHugh, Kilcar and Donegal footballer; Mags D’arcy, St. Martin’s and Wexford camogie player and John Small, Ballymun Kickhams and Dublin footballer to launch the 2017/2018 AIB Club and Camogie Championship season.

The four stars have finished their intercounty season and are now back with their clubs preparing for county and provincial finals as the battle of #TheToughest continues.

Proud to be backing both Club and County through the additional sponsorships of the Camogie Club and All-Ireland Football Championships, AIB is especially pleased to continue its sponsorship of the GAA Club Championships for a 26th consecutive year. Having been treated to another entertaining All-Ireland Football Championship during the summer which saw Dublin claim their eagerly anticipated “three in a row”, attention now once again turns to club and the battle to fulfil the dream of being crowned All Ireland Champions with and for the people that players were first introduced to GAA with.

Some clubs across Ireland have already been crowned County Champions with Shane Dowling’s Na Piarsaigh, Ryan McHugh’s Kilcar and Mags D'Arcy’s St. Martin’s now due to contest the provincial championships. John Small’s Ballymun Kickhams face St. Vincent's in the Dublin Senior Football Championship Final this Sunday, October 29th.

Clubs progressing into the provincial rounds are now preparing themselves for challenging conditions over the coming winter months where they will face some of the most gruelling battles as the AIB GAA Club and Camogie Championships reach the final stages.

Denis O’Callaghan, Head of AIB Retail Banking, emphasised the importance of AIB’s partnerships with the GAA. He said: “AIB are delighted to be involved with the Club Championships at Senior, Intermediate and Junor level for a 26th consecutive year as well as  the Camogie Club Championships.

The Club Championships is one of the most unique, competitive and toughest competitions to win in sport and we’re proud to be supporting #TheToughest all the way. The GAA clubs dotted around the country lie at the heart of the communities in which they are based. We at AIB, inspired by their example are working hard, to earn the right to re-establish ourselves at the heart of the lives of the Irish people, backing them in the big moments in life and in business."

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “This is the time of the year when our clubs and the players who secure county titles get the opportunity to represent their counties with distinction. It’s a time of the year that is synonymous with the mobilisation of communities for road trips across provinces. Communities now have the opportunity to promote their clubs outside of their representative counties.

“The goal of securing provincial honours and ultimately getting to contest the Club titles in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day is what fuels all of those involved, and we wish all competing clubs well.

"I would also like to acknowledge AIB’s support who through their sponsorship of both the Club and County Championships are one of the GAA’s biggest and longest supporters as we continue to look to grow and develop GAA at grassroots right around the country.”

For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from the AIB Camogie and Club Championships follow AIB GAA on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and facebook.com/AIBGAA and www.aib.ie/gaa.