1. COLM CALLANAN (GALWAY)
Callanan showed a range of versatility in 2015 that made him stand out from the crowd - he also produced two of the finest saves in the entire Championship. The first was an outrageous penalty save from Dublin’s Paul Ryan in the Leinster Championship, somehow springing full length to his left to tip the sliotar around the post. In the All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary, he showed great reaction to flick Lar Corbett’s shot away from goal. It wasn’t just the Hollywood stops that caught the eye, though, as the Kinvara man was very assured under the high ball and his puck-outs were of the highest standard throughout the summer.
2. PAUL MURPHY (KILKENNY)
One of the easiest decisions for adjudicators following Murphy’s superb campaign in the heart of the Kilkenny defence. While his reputation was forged thanks to some superb man-marking displays in the corner, Murphy showed there was more to his game in 2015. In the League, he posted a number of fine displays at full-back, while he played as a free man on a number of occasions, including the All-Ireland semi-final win over Waterford. A fourth Allstar for the Danesfort man and confirmation he is now a true leader for manager Brian Cody.
3. JOEY HOLDEN (KILKENNY)
It's funny how things work out for players. Joey Holden never saw himself as a full-back, but at the start of Ballyhale’s 2014-15 club season, they decided to shift him there. He was sensational as they went all the way to All-Ireland glory and, with JJ Delaney hanging up his boots, Brian Cody had found his new full-back. Came up against the likes of Conor McDonald, Maurice Shanahan and Joe Canning and was a match for them all. Was not fazed one bit by the team captaincy and looks a good bet to spend many years minding the square.
4. NOEL CONNORS (WATERFORD)
The Passage clubman emerged as the lynchpin of the Déise defence last season. He was a fixture in the Waterford full-back line throughout their successful National Hurling League Division One campaign and continued his excellent form into the Championship. Strong, full of running and a tenacious man-marker, Connors was regularly dispatched to pick up the opposition dangerman. He kept Cork’s Patrick Horgan on a tight leash in the Munster SHC semi-final win and had a memorable duel with Tipperary’s John O’Dwyer in the final.
5. DAITHÍ BURKE (GALWAY)
A hand injury may have meant Burke missed the drawn match with Dublin, but he made a huge difference when he returned for the replay. Kept Danny Sutcliffe quiet in that game and performed superbly on Richie Hogan in the Leinster final until the Kilkenny man moved further out the pitch. Was a bundle of energy in the epic semi-final win over Tipperary and, although he didn’t hit those heights in the final against Kilkenny, still put in a real shift.
6. TADHG DE BÚRCA (WATERFORD)
Despite his young age, de Búrca played like a seasoned veteran this year. Played the sweeper role to perfection as the Déise reached the last four. They lost out to Kilkenny in the semi-final, with de Búrca one of a number of Waterford players at fault for TJ Reid’s goal, but that shouldn’t take away from a fine season. Had been shifted all over the pitch with club, school and county, but the new role Derek McGrath handed him this year suited his positional awareness and calm distribution.
7. CILLIAN BUCKLEY (KILKENNY)
One of the most consistent performers in this year’s Championship, Buckley was always likely to be a shoo-in. If the Allstars were assessed in the first-half of the All-Ireland final, Buckley wouldn’t even have been on the radar as he struggled on Jason Flynn. After the interval, he delivered the sort of commanding performance that was evident throughout their season. The amount of possession he gathered in the Leinster final against the Tribes men and the All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford was hugely admirable. Got on the scoreboard against Wexford and Waterford too.
8. MICHAEL FENNELLY (KILKENNY)
Fennelly played in three of Kilkenny’s four Championship games and was among the man-of-the-match candidates in all three. Wexford and Waterford could not deal with his direct running and his work-rate against Galway in the final was off the charts. Scored in every game en route to the Liam McCarthy Cup, managing 0-4 in total. His season was all the more impressive as he was dealing with a bad back injury throughout the campaign.
9. DAVID BURKE (GALWAY)
When Anthony Cunningham switched Burke to midfield during their run to the All-Ireland final, it seemed to really ignite his year. Probably Galway’s best performer in the final loss to Kilkenny, while his industry in the semi-final win against Tipperary was exceptional. Injury meant he was only a bit-part player in the games with Dublin, but managed 0-8 in the five games he did start.
10. JONATHAN GLYNN (GALWAY)
Glynn is one of those sticky players who simply won’t go away. The man to get a hook in here or a block in there, he was the grafter on the Galway side this season. Some of the big hits he put in were inspirational. It would be unfair to pigeon-hole him as just a grafter, though, and his goal in the quarter-final destruction of Cork showed there is a finesse to his game. Kilkenny targeted his influence in the All-Ireland final and, although they managed to keep him quieter than normal, he still had an outstanding season.
11. RICHIE HOGAN (KILKENNY)
An instant choice at centre half-forward, Hogan, who played the All-Ireland final despite a serious quad problem, was majestic. The Danesfort man is just one of those elite players who rarely seems to have a bad game. Injury ensured he couldn’t reach top speed against Galway in the final, but in a sign of his class, he still managed two points before he had to go off. Simply outstanding in the semi-final win over Waterford, with all five of his points coming from play. This is his third Allstar in five years – and at just 27 years of age, it’s unlikely to be his last.
12. TJ REID (KILKENNY)
Reid simply lit up this year’s Championship and averaged 11 points per game. Scored a goal in all four Kilkenny games and there are few better strikers of the ball in the game. Had a greater influence in the final against Galway, racking up a 1-8 tally, and was just in sensational form from the start of the Championship until the end. Like Richie Hogan, he is just 27 years-of-age – 28 in two weeks' time – and, like Hogan, is sure to have many more days in the sun. A class act.
13. GER AYLWARD (KILKENNY)
If people didn’t know who Ger Aylward was before Kilkenny’s match against Wexford, then they certainly did after it. Aylward marked his Championship debut with a stunning 3-5 tally to kick-start a brilliant year. Naturally, the youngster couldn’t keep to those standards, but he still had a big impact and managed to hit two points in the final win over Galway. His ability to turn and shoot in a millisecond caught out defenders all season. A fantastic way to start his inter-county career.
14. SÉAMUS CALLANAN (TIPPERARY)
Callanan almost dragged Tipperary to the All-Ireland final single-handedly. It seems very cruel that he had to taste defeat in the semi-final against Galway despite posting a 3-9 tally, 3-5 from play. That display in itself may have been enough to secure an award, but he also rattled the net twice against Limerick in the Munster final. Played just three Championship games and managed 5-20, 5-6 of that coming from play. The Galway full-back line are still probably having nightmares.
15. MAURICE SHANAHAN (WATERFORD)
Much has been made of his dead-ball striking, but he also scored 2-7 from play, including a stunning strike in the Munster semi-final win over Cork. Given Waterford’s tendency to defend en masse, Shanahan was often left isolated in attack. Despite that, he provided a physical outlet for his team-mates and his strength in the air caused panic in every game. Still learning, but looked very composed on the pitch.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS
HURLER OF THE YEAR
TJ Reid (Kilkenny), Richie Hogan (Kilkenny), Séamus Callanan (Tipperary)
YOUNG HURLER OF THE YEAR
Jason Flynn (Galway), Cathal Mannion (Galway), Tadhg de Búrca (Waterford)
