THE 2014 GAA-GPA ALLSTAR hurling team is announced at the Convention Centre in Dublin tonight, recognising the leading performers on the field in 2014.
In preparation, our writers have looked into their crystal balls and selected their 15 worthy of the awards. You can find the full list of nominations here.
Let us know in the comments section what you think the team should be:
SINEAD O’CARROLL
1. Darren Gleeson (Tipperary)
2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)
3. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)
4. Seamus Hickey (Limerick)
5. Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
6. Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
7. Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny)
8. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
9. Conor Fogarty (Kilkenny)
10. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
11. Patrick Maher (Tipperary)
12. John O’Dwyer (Tipperary)
13. Shane Dowling (Limerick)
14. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)
15. Richie Power (Kilkenny)
I thought both Cathal Barrett and Paddy Stapleton were outstanding this season so I’m loathe not to include them both in my picks. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wexford’s Lee Chin was taking a seat at the top table but it’s more likely Richie Hogan will be joined by his teammate Conor Fogarty.Conor Lehane is unlucky on the half-forward line, while I gave the nod to Shane Dowling ahead of Colin Fennelly as I’ve only one other person outside of the finalists.
STEVEN O’ROURKE
1. Darren Gleeson (Tipperary)
2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)
3. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)
4. Seamus Hickey (Limerick)
5. Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
6. Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
7. Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny)
8. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
9. Shane McGrath (Tipperary)
10. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
11. Patrick Maher (Tipperary)
12. John O’Dwyer (Tipperary)
13. Shane Dowling (Limerick)
14. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)
15. Richie Power (Kilkenny)
YPOTY: Shane Dowling (Limerick)
POTY: Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
I’m picking the team I think will be selected and not the one I feel should be selected. Lee Chin could have made the grade in midfield but again just missed out. The rest pretty much picks itself.
KEVIN O’BRIEN
1. Darren Gleeson (Tipperary)
2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)
3. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)
4. Seamus Hickey (Limerick)
5. Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
6. Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
7. Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny)
8. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
9. Lee Chin (Wexford)
10. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
11. Patrick Maher (Tipperary)
12. John O’Dwyer (Tipperary)
13. Shane Dowling (Limerick)
14. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)
15. Richie Power (Kilkenny)
YPOTY: Shane Dowling (Limerick)
POTY: Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
Lee Chin’s displays through Wexford’s qualifier run earns him a place in midfield ahead of Shane McGrath and Conor Fogarty. Richie Hogan and Shane Dowling to deservedly take the individual honours.
NIALL KELLY
1. Darren Gleeson (Tipperary)
2. Cathal Barrett (Tipperary)
3. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)
4. Seamus Hickey (Limerick)
5. Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
6. Pádraic Maher (Tipperary)
7. Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny)
8. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
9. Conor Fogarty (Kilkenny)
10. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
11. Patrick Bonner Maher (Tipperary)
12. John Bubbles O’Dwyer (Tipperary)
13. Shane Dowling (Limerick)
14. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)
15. Richie Power (Kilkenny)
HOTY: Richie Hogan
YHOTY: Shane Dowling
Full of tough decisions and despite the brilliance of Paul Murphy, I felt I had to make room for Cathal Barrett in the full-back line. Pádraic Walsh won’t thank me for leaving him out of the half-backs, nor will Colin Fennelly in the full-forwards. After leaving those three out, it’s just as well I’m not planning on a return to Kilkenny any time soon.
