PwC GAA/GPA Hurling Allstars 2019
1. Brian Hogan
Tipperary | Lorrha-Dorrha
THE goalkeeping position had become something of a problem for Tipperary, but Brian Hogan looked to the manor born from the moment he stepped in. In just his second Championship season starting for Tipp, it was the speed, accuracy and distance of his puck-outs that allowed them to deviate from their more predictable routine. In emulating his father Ken in 1987, the Hogans join the Larkins and Powers of Kilkenny as the only father-son duos to have won Allstars.
One Allstar: 2019
2. Seán Finn
Limerick | Bruff
SEÁN Finn was immense in the Gaelic Grounds in July as he helped Limerick to their first Munster senior hurling title in six years.
Finn marked four different players at differing times in that victory over Tipperary, as well as operating as the free man at one stage, and excelled at all tasks.
Finn was largely solid in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kilkenny as it was the Treaty’s sluggish start up front that proved their Achilles heel.
Two Allstars: 2018, 2019
3. Ronan Maher
Tipperary | Thurles Sarsfield’s
WHEN there are times of strife, you can invariably rely on Ronan Maher to show up. Has been one of the game’s most consistent defenders in recent seasons and, in his All-Ireland semi-final display especially, he brought a solidity to Tipperary that they haven’t always felt sure of. He was inspirational against Wexford that day and had a strong second-half in the final to put the seal on a great year.
Two Allstars: 2016, 2019
4. Cathal Barrett
Tipperary | Holycross-Ballycahill
A REAL corner-back’s corner-back, Barrett’s return to glory completes a remarkable journey. An Allstar in 2016, he was dropped the following year and then struggled with injury in 2018. Still only 25, Liam Sheedy not only brought him back but got the very best out of him. Where there’s pace to be dealt with inside, Tipperary have come to know they can rely on him.
Two Allstars: 2016, 2019
5. Brendan Maher
Tipperary | Borris-Ileigh
HAVING suffered a torn cruciate knee ligament against Clare last summer, there were concerns over Brendan Maher’s career. They needn’t have worried. Returned at the tail-end of the league and, by summer, he was at full pelt again, arguably better than before. Picked up Aaron Gillane, Tony Kelly, Austin Gleeson and Rory O’Connor en route to the final, where he shackled TJ Reid brilliantly.
Three Allstars: 2010, 2014, 2019
6. Pádraig Walsh
Kilkenny | Tullaroan
PÁDRAIG Walsh’s versatility has made him indispensable to Brian Cody over the last five years. During his time on the Kilkenny panel, Walsh has lined out at full-back, centre-back, as a spare defender, as a left and right wing-back, midfielder and wing-forward.
According to Jackie Tyrrell, Walsh was Kilkenny’s main man in the All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Cork and he put in another leader’s performance in the last-four win against Limerick.
Two Allstars: 2016, 2019
7. Pádraic Maher
Tipperary | Thurles Sarsfield’s
IN A year when he became the first Tipperary man since Declan Ryan in 2001 to pick up a third All-Ireland title, he joins legends Nicky English and Eoin Kelly as the only Tipp men to have won six Allstar awards. His outstanding performance in the second-half of this year’s final, including a breath-taking block on Walter Walsh, was the inspiration off which the team fed.
Six Allstars: 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019
8. Noel McGrath
Tipperary | Loughmore-Castleiney
A THIRD Allstar, but a very different one. A decade ago, he won his first at corner-forward as the Young Hurler of the Year. A year later, he picked up another at centre-forward. But in fighting off testicular cancer and making a return not just to inter-county hurling, but to the kind of form he’s shown this year, is remarkable. A transformed player, his brief now is as the playmaker and there were none better.
Three Allstars: 2009, 2010, 2019
9. Diarmuid O’Keeffe
Wexford | Rathangan
HIT some important points from midfield for Davy Fitzgerald’s men in their successful Leinster Championship campaign, including two against Kilkenny in the provincial final.
Fluffed a glorious goal chance early on against Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat, but was again influential from the middle of the park in a tight contest.
One Allstar: 2019
10. Lee Chin
Wexford | Faythe Harriers
WEXFORD’S joint-captain is well known for his swashbuckling style of play, but in 2019 he got back to basics. Chin was flawless from dead balls in the Leinster final win over Kilkenny and led by example, both in terms of his work-rate and his decision making. He finished with nine points that afternoon and went on to hit 1-7 in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to eventual champions Tipperary.
One Allstar: 2019
11. TJ Reid
Kilkenny | Ballyhale Shamrocks
IN ONE way it’s hard to believe that it’s four years since TJ Reid won an Allstar, but in another it shows just how brilliant a year he’s been right throughout 2019. He’ll be 32 next month but looks in the shape of his life and, had Kilkenny got over the line, this would have been remembered as his All-Ireland. Scored bagfuls all year but even when he didn’t, such as in the semi-final against Limerick, he offered an astonishing power and vision and work-rate to his team.
Four Allstars: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019
12. Colin Fennelly
Kilkenny | Ballyhale Shamrocks
A RETURN to the form which saw him win his first Allstar in 2014, Colin Fennelly was too hot to handle for the Limerick defence in July as Kilkenny went to the verge of another All-Ireland victory. Perhaps the greatest compliment he could be paid was that Tipperary were forced to double-mark in the last half-an-hour of the All-Ireland final, Ronan Maher on his own proving inadequate to the task.
Two Allstars: 2014, 2019
13. Aaron Gillane
Limerick | Patrickswell
HE WAS the unfortunate one that missed out on an Allstar in their All-Ireland winning year, but there was little doubt over who Limerick’s go-to man was in attack this year. Ran up huge tallies throughout the year, including 1-9 on a day when they struggled against Kilkenny and 1-11 in the Munster Championship clash with Clare. Had put on a bit of muscle after last season and was a more imposing figure this year, and a particular threat under the high ball.
One Allstar: 2019
14. Séamus Callanan
Tipperary | Drom-Inch
NO matter what opposition defences tried, there was a green flag being lifted somewhere along the line. A remarkable record of scoring a goal in every Championship game in the summer, Callanan quickly warmed up in Munster and racked up a brilliant 7-16 across the Championship, of which all but a single point came from play. The intelligence of his movement and his renewed sharpness made him unmarkable at times.
Four Allstars: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
15. Patrick Horgan
Cork | Glen Rovers
Four Allstars: 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019
A FOURTH Allstar but still no All-Ireland winners medal for the irrepressible forward from Glen Rovers. Horgan racked up 3-10 for the Rebels against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland quarter-final and still ended on the losing side. Horgan filled his boots in the Munster Championship against the likes of Clare and Waterford. One of his games of the summer came against Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds, when his second goal spurred Cork on to victory against the then All-Ireland champions.
