So, which four clubs will achieve the ultimate ambition and reach the AIB All-Ireland senior club finals in Croke Park next St. Patrick's Day?

This year it was the turn of Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) and Dr.Crokes (Kerry) in football and Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) and Loughrea (Galway) in hurling, with Crossmaglen and Ballyhale capturing the Andy Merrigan and Tommy Moore Cups, respectively.

Crossmaglen have already signalled their intention of making a bold bid to retain the All-Ireland football crown by winning the Armagh title for the twelfth successive year last Sunday week. They will meet the Monaghan champions in the Ulster quarter-final on November 4.

The 2007 provincial series begin next weekend and will dominate the GAA scene between then and mid-December in order to produce the All-Ireland semi-finalists, who will resume action next February.

Since its inception in 1971, the AIB All-Ireland Club Championships have gone from strength to strength and are now firmly established as the showpiece on the GAA calendar between mid-October and mid-March.

A total of 24 clubs have won the football title while 22 have captured the hurling crown.

Nemo Rangers of Cork head the football roll of honour with seven titles while Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny and Birr of Offaly are joint leaders in hurling on four each.

The action begins in Connacht football and Ulster hurling next Sunday. In Connacht football, Leitrim champions, St. Mary's take on Sligo championsTourlestrane at Carrick-on-Shannon while in Ulster hurling, Ballycran (Down) take on Dunloy (Antrim) in a semi-final clash in Casement Park.

Ulster begin their football championships on Sunday week; Leinster begin their football campaign on October 28 with the hurling getting underway a week later. Munster will launch their hurling on November 4 with the football beginning a week later.

AIB CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS: ALL-IRELAND ROLL OF HONOUR

FOOTBALL
7 – Nemo Rangers (Cork): 1973-79-82-84-89-94-2003.
4 – Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh): 1997-99-2000-2004.
3 – St. Finbarr's (Cork): 1980-81-87.
2 – Burren (Down) 1986-88.
2 – UCD (Dublin): 1974-75.
1 – Austin Stacks (Kerry): 1977.
1 – Ballina Stephenites (Mayo): 2005.
1 – Baltinglass (Wicklow): 1990.
1 – Ballinderry (Derry): 2002.
1 – Bellaghy (Derry): 1972.
1 – Caltra (Galway): 2004.
1 – Castelisland Desmonds (Kerry): 1985.
1 – Crossmolina (Mayo): 2001.
1 – Corofin (Galway): 1998.
1 – Dr. Crokes (Kerry): 1992.
1 – East Kerry: 1971.
1 – Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin): 1995.
1 – Laune Rangers (Kerry): 1996.
1 – Lavey (Derry): 1991.
1 – O’Donovan Rossa (Cork): 1993.
1 – Portlaoise (Laois): 1983.
1 – Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway): 2006.
1 – St.Vincent’s (Dublin): 1976.
1 – Thomond College (Limerick) 1978.

HURLING

4 – Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny): 1981-84-90-2007.
4 – Birr (Offaly): 1995-98-2002-2003.
3 – Athenry (Galway): 1997-2000-2001.
3 – Blackrock (Cork): 1972-74-79.
3 – James Stephens (Kilkenny): 1976-82-2005.
2 – Glen Rovers (Cork): 1973-77.
2 – Sarsfields (Galway): 1993-94.
2 – St. Finbarr's (Cork): 1975-78.
1 – Borrisoleigh (Tipperary): 1987.
1 – Buffer's Alley (Wexford): 1989.
1 – Castlegar (Galway): 1980.
1 – Glenmore (Kilkenny): 1991.
1 – Kilruane McDonaghs (Tipperary): 1986.
1 – Kiltormer (Galway): 1992.
1 – Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim): 1983.
1 – Midleton (Cork): 1988.
1 – Newtownshandrum (Cork): 2004.
1 – Portumna (Galway): 2006.
1 – Roscrea (Galway): 1971.
1 – Sixmilebridge (Clare): 1996.
1 – St. Joseph's (Clare): 1999.
1 – St. Martin's (Kilkenny): 1985.