GREEN ZONE
After a unique season, Limerick’s perfect record of 10 from 10 in League and Championship is reflected in the 15 selected on our team of the year
1 NICKIE QUAID (LIMERICK)
If the goalkeeper is now the hurling equivalent of a NFL quarterback, then Quaid is Limerick’s answer to Tom Brady. Ice-cool under pressure with a speed and accuracy of pass that keeps the engine of the team humming. That he was in pole position for an Alll-Star without making a save from open play going into the final said d everything about how he dictates Limerick’s possession and scoring statistics. The saves from Stephen Bennett and Calum Lyons confirmed his shot-stopping ability to go with everything else.
2 SEAN FINN (LIMERICK)
When you hear the likes of Jackie Tyrrell raving about his quality, you know this fella is someething special in terms of cornerback play. Has been arguably the most consistent defender in the country since Limerick’s break-out season of 2018. A consummate ball player who can mix it or man-mark the opposition’s best player – he needed all of his hurling brain to keep tabs on the movement and trickery of Dessie Hutchinson. He has the full package as a defender.
3 DAN MORRISSEY (LIMERICK)
So much for the square-peg-inround-hole theory that surfaced at the start of the Championship. Summed up the versatility of this Limerick team where so many players seem adaptable to different positions. Slotted in seamlessly from his usual wing-back role and carried a presence and confidence in the number three shirt that suggested he had played there all his life.
4 DAITHÍ BURKE (GALWAY)
Late back into the team due to injury but saw off Colin Fennelly in the Leinster final and was a towering figure in the All-Ireland semifinal to put Galway in a position where they might have knocked out Limerick.
Showed his character in the way he recovered from an early slip for Seamus Callanan’s goal. Kilkenny’s Conor Delaney another who has strong claims for a corner-back slot.
5 DIARMAID BYRNES (LIMERICK)
Sharpened his long-range radar and sharpened his use of the ball too. That first catch above the head of Jack Fagan in the final was a statement of intent and squeezes out Calum Lyons who had a breakout year. Sliding in to brilliantly block Stephen Bennett’s first-half goal attempt was another critical intervention. The fourth quarter of the Munster final showed the futility of the opposition going long, as Byrnes and company cleaned up under any high ball.
6 TADHG DE BÚRCA (WATERFORD)
The lightning rod for Waterford’s ambition. An example in seeing nothing else bar the ball, in every challenge he makes. The linchpin of the defence in the way he sweeps across the line and sets Waterford in motion. Could easily have scooped Man of the Match in the Munster final against Limerick and his thrilling point against Kilkenny summed up a county’s defiance. He was such a loss in the final, injury removing him after all his hard work to make it back from a cruciate knee ligament tear.
7 KYLE HAYES (LIMERICK)
A force of nature. Like the ultimate player that a team of scientists might design in a hurling laboratory rather than one sculpted by the Limerick Academy. Must be the first wing-back in the game to carry a serious goal threat – he forced Stephen O’Keeffe into a stunning final save and could have found the net, too, against Galway. At 6ft 5in and 14st 2lbs, has all the physical attributes – but has all the intangibles too in terms of leadership and big-game character. Unstoppable in full flow.
8 CIAN LYNCH (LIMERICK)
Hard to think of a more skilful player in the game. Started the campaign in the middle of the field before taking that consummate first touch and skill as a link man to brilliantly fill the hole left by Kyle Hayes at 11. Produced an exhibition in the rain in that first half of the Munster semi-final against Tipperary to leave Alan Flynn chasing shadows. No ego, for a player named as Hurler of the Year in 2018. The ultimate team player – he’s always looking to bring those around him into play.
9 TONY KELLY (CLARE)
A wizard with hurley in hand. Equalled a record of 17 scores in a single Championship game – that dated back to Eddie Keher and 1972 – in the opening round against Limerick and kept going from there. Wexford planned specifically for him and still he kept banging them over off left and right, his point from near the corner flag just one of the many highlights that Saturday afternoon. Had one point from one shot in the opening moments of the All-Ireland quarter-final until an ankle injury curtailed his influence.
10 GEARÓID HEGARTY (LIMERICK)
The Hurler of the Year in waiting. The physique, athleticism and ballwinning ability were always there but found a new level this year in his accuracy and scoring rate. One of the great All-Ireland final displays as a forward, not just in hitting seven points from play but in the way he was a colossus all around the field – in his workrate, tackling, link-up play and shooting. A teacher and low handicapper who is a big fan of Bryson DeChambeau, one of those Limerick players seemingly intent on testing the traditional boundaries of the game.
11 TJ REID (KILKENNY)
Turned 33 this Championship and only getting better with age. Wears the burden of Kilkenny’s goto man up front so lightly. His display was such in the first half of the Leinster semi-final against Dublin that Michael Duignan of this parish put him in a conversation with Christy Ring and the game’s greats, declaring him the best player he has seen in his lifetime. Almost unmarkable under a dropping ball, it was his touch that set up Richie Hogan’s stunning goal against Galway before Reid applied the coup de grace with his own. Remarkable capacity to keep producing, even when Kilkenny were being over-run by Waterford.
12 TOM MORRISSEY (LIMERICK)
From being substituted scoreless in the Munster final to shooting the lights out in the AllIreland series. Could easily have scooped the official Man of the Match award in the final, not just hitting five quality scores from play but turning provider as well, the lovely reverse pass to Hegarty on the loop showing the wonderful chemistry they share. Found the crucial scores to beat Galway, including a clutch free with Aaron Gillane off the field.
13 AARON GILLANE (LIMERICK)
That he can sling over 10 points in a final, four from play, and see his place debated in any end-of-year selections show how he is judged now by a different measure. The tip of the Limerick spear during the Munster campaign. Took the fight to Tipperary by physically imposing himself on Ronan Maher, his improvised kicked goal showing his deadly mix of ball-winning ability and cuteness in front of the posts.
14 AUSTIN GLEESON (WATERFORD)
Just like 2016 when he put a down payment on Hurler of the Year with an electrifying performance against Kilkenny, he transformed his own season and that of Waterford’s with a thrilling second half of the All-Ireland semi-final. A rousing, thunderous force in full flow, he hit four massive points at critical stages and carried that same form into the final when his sideline cut and monster free showed his full range.
15 STEPHEN BENNETT (WATERFORD)
Deserves to make the short-list for Hurler of the Year after blossoming into the player everyone knew he could be. There is something about Waterford in full flow and Bennett epitomised that wonderful streak of individual brilliance with that mesmerising solo run and point against Kilkenny after running half the length of the field. Brilliant free-taker too. Inspired the comeback against Kilkenny with a wonderfully improvised drop shot and brought the best out of Nickie Quaid in the final.