The story of Slaughtneil GAC is one of the biggest talking points of 2016 after their Ulster Championship success across the codes of hurling, camogie and football. In this video brought to you by proud sponsors of both the GAA All-Ireland Club Championships and the Senior Football Championship, AIB, the story of the County Derry club is told ahead of their AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Final against Down champions, Kilcoo. As is told in the video, the success of Slaughtneil has been built on years of hard work and fundraising. Here's their story. Follow 'AIB GAA' across Facebook and Twitter or use the hashtag #TheToughest
By Orla Bannon
It's the kind of problem most club players couldn't envisage in their wildest dreams, but Brendan Rodgers is one of 12 Slaughtneil men aiming to be double-booked on St Patrick's Day.
The record-breaking Derry club, who completed an unprecedented provincial treble of Ulster camogie, hurling and football titles in 2016 with Sunday's football final victory over Kilcoo, are far from finished yet.
Rodgers says it's the club's “ambition” to give GAA's fixture-makers a scheduling problem by advancing to both the AIB All-Ireland football and hurling finals on St Patrick's Day.
“Obviously it's a scenario where you have to get there first,” said the multi-talented towering defender.
“We have three games to get there before it's a problem, with an All-Ireland football quarter-final before Christmas as well, but I wouldn't rule it out.
“It's definitely an ambition. It would be nice to give them that headache!”
Rodgers is only 22 years old and has already won three Derry SFC titles in-a-row and two Ulster SFC titles in three years.
He's also played in their four-in-a-row of county hurling titles and last month they beat Loughgiel to become the first Derry club to win the Ulster SHC crown.
He admitted Sunday's provincial football final victory over Kilcoo, winning 0-12 to 0-9 in the Athletic Grounds, was the best of the lot.
“What a time to be alive! I think this is the sweetest yet because you know you've done something special.
“You've done something that might go down in history for a while and that maybe won't be broken for a while.
“It will be years before we can look back and realise what we achieved.
“You play hurling and football and camogie for the enjoyment and winning is part of the enjoyment, that's what you work hard for.
“To be the first to do anything is a really nice thing. Maybe we'll get to relax for a few weeks, you never know!”
