THREE GAMES TO go – excluding potential replays – in this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship.
Three games to decide the destination of the Liam McCarthy Cup for 2013 and three games to settle who will take the individual player awards for the season.
The concluding stages of the championship always have a major bearing on where the Allstar awards end up and who will collect the Hurling Player of the Year and Young Hurler of the Year awards.
But if they were to be judged now, here’s the players who we think are in pole position.
Allstar Awards
Goalkeeper
1. Anthony Nash (Cork)
Last year’s Allstar winner has maintained his high standards in 2013. Has yet to concede a goal in Cork’s three championship matches to date and has really grown into the role as the Rebels net minder. His save from a penalty and rebound against Kilkenny a fortnight ago was breathtaking.
Honourable mentions go to… Dublin’s Gary Maguire and Limerick’s Nicky Quaid.
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
Full Back Line
2. Shane O’Neill (Cork), 3. Richie McCarthy (Limerick), 4. Peter Kelly (Dublin)
In Cork’s last two games, Shane O’Neill has really stepped up to provide leadership for a young side. His tenacity was instrumental in quelling the Kilkenny attack and he was one of the brightest lights in their defeat to Limerick.
That Munster final saw Richie McCarthy anchor Limerick’s challenge superbly and his brand of aggressive hurling was also vital in stopping Tipperary before that.
While Dublin’s Peter Kelly has been a model of consistency throughout their Leinster campaign, particularly given the quality of attacker he was facing in the Kilkenny and Galway games.
Honourable mentions go to… Clare’s David McInerney, Limerick’s Tom Condon, Kilkenny’s Paul Murphy, Tipperary’s Michael Cahill and Cork’s Conor O’Sullivan.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Half Back Line
5. Wayne McNamara (Limerick), 6. Liam Rushe (Dublin), 7. Brendan Bugler (Clare)
McNamara and Rushe have been the dominant centre-backs in the championship and both are deserving of being accommodated in the half-back line. Ever since the Division 1B league final in Thurles in April, Rushe has been magnificent at the heart of the Dublin defence.
While McNamara helped Limerick get a grip on the game in their two clashes in Munster and he forms a powerful defensive spine with McCarthy for Limerick.
And in a Clare team populated by young faces, it is one of their older heads who has also impressed in Brendan Bugler as he has reprised the form which lead to him winning an Allstar last year.
Honourable mentions go to… Dublin’s Michael Carton, Kilkenny’s Kieran Joyce, Clare’s Patrick Donnellan and Cork’s William Egan.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Midfield
8. Donal O’Grady (Limerick), 9. Colm Galvin (Clare)
A mixture of experience and youth in this midfield combination. Donal O’Grady has played the captain’s role to perfection for Limerick after a year where he has had to bounce back from a broken collarbone in March.
While Colm Galvin has been a bright spark for Clare around the middle with his classy and inventive play helping propel the Banner to the semi-final stage. A member of the recent Munster U21 winning side, the Clonlara club man is still eligible for that grade with the Banner next year.
Honourable mentions go to…Dublin’s Johnny McCaffrey, Clare’s Colin Ryan, Cork’s Daniel Kearney and Waterford’s Kevin Moran.
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
Half Forward Line
10. Conal Keaney (Dublin), 11. Padraic Collins (Clare), 12. Seamus Harnedy (Cork)
Keaney has been magnificent for Dublin and was fittingly rewarded for his decision to throw in his lot with the hurlers by that Leinster final triumph. Has also recovered from a serious cruciate injury sustained two years ago.
Padraic Collins has been a revelation for Clare considering he didn’t start their first round tie against Waterford. His point-taking, work rate and skill – as evidenced by that audacious hand pass against Galway – have all been first rate.
And Seamus Harnedy has been a brilliant find for Cork. He was man of the match against Clare, shot over 0-3 in defeat to be their best forward against Limerick and stifled the influence of the Kilkenny half-back line last time out.
Honourable mentions go to… Clare’s Tony Kelly, Limerick’s James Ryan, Dublin’s Danny Sutcliffe, Cork’s Patrick Cronin and Kilkenny’s Colin Fennelly.
Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Full Forward Line
13. Paul Ryan (Dublin), 14. Declan Hannon (Limerick), 15. Patrick Horgan (Cork)
Paul Ryan didn’t start Dublin’s championship opener down in Wexford Park but he has really caught fire since then. He was in lethal form in the Wexford replay, the Kilkenny replay and then the Leinster final where he took the Galway defence for 2-7.
Hannon has chalked up 0-17 in Limerick’s two games to date to be their go-to guy in attack. He is still capable of reaching better heights though which is quite an achievement for a player who is U21 in 2013.
And Horgan’s influence for Cork has been clear to see this year with his superb marksmanship as he has chalked up 0-24 (0-16 from placed balls). Cork suffered without him against Limerick and thrived with him against Kilkenny.
Honourable mentions go to… Dublin’s David O’Callaghan, Clare’s Conor McGrath, Galway’s Joe Canning and Kilkenny’s Richie Hogan.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Hurler Of The Year
This award will be heavily influenced by the direction the championship takes from hereon in. But at this moment both Liam Rushe and Conal Keaney have valid claims for Dublin while Patrick Horgan, Richie McCarthy and Brendan Bugler are all shaping up nicely for their respective teams.
Young Hurler Of The Year
This one looks likely to be won by a Limerick or Clare man. Declan Hannon is in the frame for Limerick but it is Clare’s Padraic Collins who also has great credentials while his teammates David McInerney, Colm Galvin and Tony Kelly could force their way into the reckoning. Don’t discount Danny Sutcliffe from Dublin and Christopher Joyce from Cork as outside bets.
