WE KNOW THAT you might not all agree with our selection but here’s who we think will be honoured with 2015 GAA/GPA Allstar hurling awards.
The official selection will be revealed tomorrow morning, with the football XV to be announced on Friday evening’s live TV broadcast.
Goalkeeper
1. Colm Callanan (Galway)
Breakdown:
A stellar season for the Galway netminder and he will be a worthy recipient of a first Allstar award. In a position that’s historically been troublesome for the Tribesmen, Callanan enjoyed brilliant displays against Dublin in the Leinster championship replay and in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Tipperary.
Full backs
2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)
3. Joey Holden (Kilkenny)
4. Cathal Barrett (Tipperary)
Breakdown:
Two from Kilkenny and one from Tipperary in our full-back line. Paul Murphy is Mr. Consistency for Kilkenny and alongside him, captain Joey Holden led by example. Holden put the shackles on Joe Canning in the Leinster and All-Ireland finals to cap a brilliant season that also saw him win an AIB All-Ireland club medal with Ballyhale Shamrocks. Barrett returned from injury to play a key role for Tipperary in their march to Munster championship glory.
Half backs
5. Daithi Burke (Galway)
6. Tadhg de Búrca (Waterford)
7. Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny)
Breakdown:
Burke was one of Galway’s standout defenders as they reached the All-Ireland final, while de Búrca played the sweeper role to perfection for Waterford. The half-back line is completed by Cillian Buckley, who took his game to a new level this season. Buckley was the man who saved Kilkenny from relegation against Clare with a late winning point in the playoff and he was excellent right through the championship.
Midfielders
8. David Burke (Galway)
9. Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)
Breakdown:
Even in defeat, Burke shone for Galway in the All-Ireland final and his midfield sidekick is man of the match from that game, Michael Fennelly. It may have been an injury-interrupted summer for Fennelly but he showed his true worth when it mattered most, powering his team to glory in a colossal second half display at Croke Park.
Half forwards
10. Jason Flynn (Galway)
11. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
12. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
Breakdown:
Galway fans may lament the fact that they don’t have more forwards in our selection but this was a hugely competitive unit. Conor Whelan, Jason Flynn, Cathal Mannion and Jonathan Glynn will all feel they have genuine Allstar claims but we plumped for Flynn from that quartet.
We’ve accommodated the scorer of that brilliant All-Ireland final point in the half-forward line alongside 2014 Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan, and Hurler of the Year in waiting TJ Reid. Both Kilkenny men were excellent again this summer, with Reid notching crucial goals in the All-Ireland semi-final and final. Reid finished with a massive personal tally of 4-32 from championship 2015.
Full-forwards
13. Ger Aylward (Kilkenny)
14. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)
15. Maurice Shanahan (Waterford)
Breakdown:
One each from Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford make up our full-forward line. Tipperary talisman Seamus Callanan shot the lights out with a championship haul of 5-20, including a stunning tally of 3-9 in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway. He’s flanked on the inside line by Kilkenny’s breakthrough star Ger Aylward, who bagged a hat-trick of goals on his championship debut against Wexford.
Maurice Shanahan is rewarded with Waterford’s second Allstar in our selection. In the absence of injured forward Pauric Mahony, Shanahan took over free-taking responsibilities and showed great leadership throughout the summer, helping himself to 2-38 along the way.
What do you think of our team? Leave your feedback in the comments section below…
