Only Two Limerick Men On Team Of The Year So Far As New Breed Sweep Through | Balls.ie

It’s all change on our Team of the Year so far with only two Limerick players making the cut.

Having had Kilkenny-Limerick finals for the last two years, hurling was becoming a little bit repetitive.

But a brilliant All-Ireland semi-final weekend that saw the two underdogs emerge victorious has freshened the game up.

The All-Stars were for the most part sewn-up by Limerick players over the last few years, with the odd outlier making it in but it will be a different story this year.

Cork have arguably been the team of the championship so far and they predictably dominate our team of the year so far with eight players. Clare are next best with four while Limerick have two and Kilkenny have one.

Team of the Year so far:

1 Patrick Collins (Cork)

Has had his critics but he answered them all with his semi-final display. His long puck-outs have turned into a weapon for Cork. The bravery he showed to deny Aaron Gillane in the semi-final was off-the-charts.

2 Adam Hogan (Clare)

Mixes style with tenacity.

Eoin Cody nabbed him for a sensational goal in the semi-final but that aside, Hogan shaded the battle between two absolutely brilliant players.

3 Eoin Downey (Cork)

The second 21-year-old in the full back line.

The Glen Rovers man plays with the assuredness of a man who has ten years of inter-county experience. Downey is brilliant in the air and has great composure in possession. His emergence has steadied the ship in a line of the field that was once problematic for Cork.

Also plays the game with a great big smile on his face, like Hogan.

4 Mikey Butler (Kilkenny)

Butler rarely makes mistakes and he had another brilliant season. Started off on David Reidy in the semi-final but moved onto Shane O’Donnell and fared well. He also helped blot Donal Burke out of the Leinster final.

5 Kyle Hayes (Limerick)

Was on course for Hurler of the Year up until Limerick’s defeat on Saturday. Hit 0-8 from play in six championship games in total.

6 Robert Downey (Cork)

A real leader in the Cork team who gives them solidity at the heart of their defence.

7 David McInerney (Clare)

Clare’s man for all seasons is still going strong, as reflected by his man-of-the-match award against Kilkenny.

8 Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)

Lost little in defeat to Cork, with three brilliant points from play to back up his best season yet.

9 Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)

Has become the leader of this Cork team. His abilities have been well known for years but he has taken another step forward this year. His scoring is top class with 0-22 from play in seven games.

10 Seamus Harnedy (Cork)

Has shot 1-16 from play in the championship. Still going strong at 33 and there are few better players out there to take a score.

11 Shane Barrett (Cork)

The pace and trickery he showed to set up Brian Hayes’ goal in the semi-final summed him up. It was a piece of pure individual brilliance that very few players in the country are capable of.

12 Mark Rodgers (Clare)

Another young player who has been outstanding. Like Barrett, he has great foot-work and his score-taking in the second half against Kilkenny when Clare needed him showed that he is coming of age.

13 Shane O’Donnell (Clare)

Clare’s talisman and their target man. Has had a spellbinding season to date and his impressive second half helped them over the line against Kilkenny.

14 Alan Connolly (Cork)

Was quiet against Offaly and Dublin but roared back into form with 0-3 against Limerick, bringing his tally to 4-12 from play in the championship.

15  Brian Hayes (Cork)

A complete forward in many ways. Is a puck-out option, has all the skills and has great physicality. Is close to unstoppable when he puts the foot down and gallops at defenders, like he did against Limerick on Saturday, scoring 1-4.

Hurler of the Year: Shane O’Donnell.

Nominees: Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett.

Young Hurler of the Year: Eoin Downey.

Nominees: Shane O’Brien, Adam Hogan.

READ MORE: Brian Hayes’ Comment About Cork’s A Vs B Games Shows The Belief They Have