IT WON’T GO down in the annals as a vintage hurling year but the 2015 hurling season still managed to generate plenty of talking points.
Kilkenny finished on top of the senior pile by collecting the Liam MacCarthy Cup again, Limerick were crowned Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 champions and Galway claimed Electric Ireland minor honours.
Tipperary and Kilkenny collected the Munster and Leinster senior hurling titles respectively and Ballyhale Shamrocks lifted the AIB All-Ireland club silverware on St Patrick’s Day.
The dust had barely settled on the hurling season when Galway and Dublin ‘got to know each other’ again in Boston during the Fenway Hurling Classic.
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A beaming smile from Galway captain David Collins in February following victory over Dublin in the Walsh Cup final but it would turn out to be a turbulent year for the Tribesmen.
TJ Reid lifts the Tommy Moore Cup for Ballyhale Shamrocks in March. The Kilkenny hitman would finish the season as Hurler of the Year.
Eight days later, Ballyhale and Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin announced his retirement from intercounty hurling.
Waterford captain Kevin Moran with the Allianz Hurling League trophy. The Déise gained promotion from Division 1B before going on to collect the League title outright.
Waterford agreed to travel to Thurles for the Munster hurling final against Tipperary – but it was the hosts who collected provincial honours at Semple Stadium to honour the memory of the late Jimmy Doyle.
Despite Joe Canning’s ‘wonder goal’ for Galway, it was business as usual for Kilkenny in Leinster as they claimed the provincial silverware.
Not even 3-9 from Seamus Callanan could prevent All-Ireland semi-final defeat for Tipperary, as supersub Shane Moloney slotted over a winning point for Galway. One of the many great moments from that game was Noel McGrath’s return following a bout of testicular cancer.
TJ Reid and Kilkenny found their way past the Waterford sweeper system in the other semi-final.
The Cats reigned supreme again in September, as captain Joey Holden showed that JJ Delaney’s boots could be filled at full-back.
There was some consolation for Galway on All-Ireland final day as their minors claimed glory.
And Limerick finished the year as All-Ireland U21 champions for the first time in 13 years.
After dispensing with their manager Anthony Cunningham, Galway’s hurlers signed off for 2015 with victory in the Fenway Hurling Classic in Boston, a game marred by a mass brawl.
