1. James Dempsey – Offaly
Dempsey made a string of fine saves to keep Kilkenny from racking up a cricket score on Saturday. First half saves from Walter Walsh and Michael Fennelly were highlight in a stubborn performance by the Offaly keeper.
Waterford’s Stephen O’Keeffe was also in fine form.
2. Paul Murphy – Kilkenny
Murphy filled an expert role as a sweeper, in what was a superb performance by the Kikenny defender.
Offaly’s decision to deploy a sweeper and leave Murphy free in the Kilkenny defence proved a major mistake.
3. Liam Lawlor – Waterford
Lawlor did his best for Waterford in difficult circumstances. He is one of the few Waterford players to have carried his form from the drawn game in to Sunday’s replay.
Rory Hannify was one of Offaly’s better players.
4. Stephen McDonnell – Cork
Tenacious in defence, McDonnell mopped up possession and maintained the high standards that he had set in the drawn game.
Shane O’Neill also performed well as the Rebels restricted Waterford to ten points form play.
5. Padraig Walsh – Kilkenny
The youngster slotted in well for Kilkenny. He was very competent both with and without possession, and by all accounts he was very impressive.
Shane Fives was also impressive for Waterford.
6. Mark Ellis – Cork
Another fine game at the heart of the Rebels defence by the newcomer. His intervention on Austin Gleeson in the early exchanges set the tone for Cork, and for Waterford.
7. Lorcan McLoughlin – Cork
Excellent play at wing-back throughout the game for McLoughlin. He made great use of possession, and entirely dominated his sector. Cork’s young half back line laid the foundations for a solid victory.
8. Richie Hogan – Kilkenny
Three points from play, showed his attacking instincts and helped Kilkenny gain a foothold around midfield. Offaly couldn’t cope with his intensity.
9. Daniel Kearney – Cork
Back to the standards he set last year in his breakthrough season. Lobbed over two points and really impressed in the Cork midfield. Along with midfield partner Aidan Walsh, Kearney bossed the middle of the park for Cork.
10. Conor Lehane – Cork
Lehane raised four white flags and really impressed for Cork. This performance was evidence of how much Cork’s attack was superior to two weeks ago for this replay.
11. TJ Reid - Kilkenny
The Ballyhale club man was magnificent, everything he did in this game oozed class.
He struck 0-6 and the skill he showed in taking the ball down in the air for one point in the first-half was sublime.
12. Gerry Keegan – Kildare
In what was a great day to be a Lilywhite in Croke Park, Keegan was the man on everyones’ lips after the Christy Ring Cup final. Keegan starred as he scored 1-4 from play on Saturday.
Seamus Harnedy was also in form as he returned to the Cork half forward line with three points.
13. Patrick Horgan – Cork
Cork’s main sharpshooter again showed the way. At this point 0-10 comes with no raised eyebrows, and this performance illustrated his worth to the Rebels. He weighed in with five points from play and was again prolific from frees.
14. Colin Fennelly – Kilkenny
Fennelly really hurt the Offaly defence as he shot 1-6 and was in electric form to the dismay of the Offaly supporters in Nowlan Park.
Eoin Larkin was also prominent for the Cats with a haul of 2-4.
15. Brian Carroll – Offaly
The solitary Offaly forward to make an impression as he grabbed 1-11, including 1-5 from play, in a brave and courageous showing.
