WITH JUST TWO games remaining in this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship, we took a look at who we think would win year’s Allstar awards if they were to be judged right now.
Of course the concluding games of the championship often have the most bearing on who ends up winning these individual awards.
But with just three teams remaining ; here’s our August Allstar hurling team…
Goalkeeper
1. Nickie Quaid-Limerick
So far this year fantastic goalkeeping performances have been hard to come by but Nickie Quaid has been the country’s top goalkeeper. Despite conceding six goals, the Limerick stopper has made crucial saves throughout the championship, in particular against Tipperary.
Honourable mentions go to…
Dublin’s Alan Nolan made some fantastic saves during in this year’s championship, being arguably Dublin’s best performer against Kilkenny. Anthony Nash has also had his moments as has Stephen O’Keeffe for Waterford.
Full-Back Line
2. Seamus Hickey – Limerick; 3. JJ Delaney – Kilkenny; 4. Jackie Tyrell – Kilkenny
Seamus Hickey‘s performances for Limerick this year, off the back of a serious cruciate ligament injury last summer, have been sensational. Man-of-the-match against Kilkenny, and the scorer of the winning point against Tipperary; there have been several highs in a fantastic year for the tigerish defender. JJ Delaney and Jackie Tyrrell have once more been central to Kilkenny’s water-tight defence, both being integral in the win over Limerick.
Honourable mentions go to…
Tipperary’s Michael Cahill had been in fine form before his injury, while Cork’s Shane O’Neill and Stephen McDonnell have been solid. Limerick’s Richie McCarthy is running JJ Delaney very hard for the number three jersey.
Half-Back Line
5. Brendan Maher – Tipperary; 6. Mark Ellis – Cork; 7. Cillian Buckley – Kilkenny
Brendan Maher, this year’s Tipperary captain has led from the front being one of his team’s most consistent performers in the half-back line. He stood out in particular against Dublin. Mark Ellis has likewise been Mr. Consistency for Cork, adding a lot of physicality and filling what’s been a problem-position for the Rebels in recent years. Cillian Buckley‘s form for Kilkenny would suggest he is a shoe-in for his first Allstar award.
Honourable mentions go to…
Christopher Joyce had a great start to the championship with Cork, while Dublin’s Liam Rushe and Michael Carton were also both consistent throughout. Brian Hogan has also had his moments for Kilkenny.
Midfield
8. Richie Hogan – Kilkenny; 9. Lee Chin – Wexford
Richie Hogan has not just been Kilkenny’s form hurler this year, but the country’s form hurler. His endless energy and ability to add crucial scores, as shown against Limerick has made him as close to an automatic Allstar as one can be at this time of the year.
Lee Chin at number nine has fulfilled all the hype which surrounded him as an underage talent with his performances this year. His endless enthusiasm in the Wexford engine room was key to their great run this year.
Honourable mentions go to…
Aidan Walsh will run these two very hard for what would be his first hurling Allstar, depending on his performances in the final two games of course -but so far he’s been outstanding for Cork. Limerick’s tenacious midfield pairing of James Ryan and Paul Browne were also in great form before their exit at the hands of Kilkenny.
Half-Forward Line
10. Seamus Harnedy – Cork; 11. Patrick Maher – Tipperary; 12. TJ Reid -Kilkenny
TJ Reid had been a huge favorite for the Hurler of the Year award, before finding it tough when marked by Seamus Hickey against Limerick – nonetheless scoring 3-40 thus far demonstrates his value for Kilkenny. Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher is Tipperary’s talisman, his direct running and work rate creates space for those around him.
Seamus Harnedy has been providing the crucial goals all summer for Cork, none more important than his goal in the Munster final.
Honourable mentions go to…
Limerick’s Declan Hannon was in inspired form against Kilkenny with five points, while Podge Doran for Wexford, and Bill Cooper and Conor Lehane for Cork have all had their moments.
Full-Forward Line
13. Patrick Horgan – Cork; 14. Seamus Callinan – Tipperary; 15. Shane Dowling – Limerick
Patrick Horgan has hit 2-41 so far in the championship. The set-piece specialist has been Cork’s main scoretaker once more this year. Seamus Callinan has scored an incredible 5-34 in this year’s championship, managing 3-8 against Galway. While in the other corner Shane Dowling‘s 2-8 against Wexford was pivotal, although the young man has been finding the crucial scores throughout the 2014 championship; also slotting over seven points against Kilkenny.
Honourable mentions go to…
Big Conor McDonald is the most unfortunate to miss out, 5-10 he managed from play this year for Wexford. Joe Canning single-handedly earned Galway a Leinster semi-final replay while young Alan Cadogan has been a consistent high-scorer from play for Cork.
No doubt nobody agrees with us entirely – tell us where we’ve gone wrong though and who’ve we’ve wrongly left out?
