Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)
A THIRD Allstar for the most decorated goalkeeper in modern hurling, which the Glenmore man can add to his haul of four All-Ireland, six Leinster and four National League winners’ medals.
Murphy is the sole representative of a Kilkenny side who were denied an All-Ireland final place in extra-time by Cork back in August. Playing in defence, he helped his club to a county intermediate title in the autumn.
Seán Finn (Limerick)
ONE of no less than 12 Limerick men on the Allstar panel, Finn picks up his fourth award. The Bruff clubman emulates Treaty legends Joe McKenna and Pat Hartigan in winning his four awards in consecutive years.
The right corner-back is also among the nominees for the Hurler of the Year award after his starring performances in Limerick’s run to their third All-Ireland title in four years.
Conor Prunty (Waterford)
WATERFORD captain Prunty picks up his first Allstar award despite missing the start of the summer action due to a quad muscle injury. Despite exiting the Munster Championship at the first hurdle to Clare, the Abbeyside clubman played a captain’s role in the thrilling victories over Galway and Tipperary on their run through the Qualifiers to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Barry Nash (Limerick)
NASH, who plays his club hurling with South Liberties in Limerick city, picks up his first Allstar after a fine summer.
Nash has been the best distributor of the ball in the Limerick defence for a while, but added more to his game in 2021. He brought steel and solidity to Limerick’s defensive displays, especially in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Waterford.
Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)
THE second Allstar award for the left wing-back, he has been a colossus in defence for the Treaty county over the last couple of years. He regularly dominates the opposition, both in the air and on the ground, and is also an excellent long-range shooter. The Patrickswell man overcame injury to help keep Cork at bay in a devastating All-Ireland final display.
Declan Hannon (Limerick)
The 28-year-old Adare clubman had a fine year as he anchored the Limerick defence with authority and simplicity. Hannon’s decision making has been perfected with experience and he has the gongs to show for it – in August he became the first captain since the legendary Christy Ring to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup three times. This is the Adare man’s second Allstar.
Kyle Hayes (Limerick)
HAYES has been a phenomenon since he was drafted back into defence from the Limerick forward line. He is not only solid when going back towards his own goal but absolutely scintillating when going forward. His formidable physical attributes make him a mismatch for nearly every opponent he comes up against. This is the Kildimo-Pallaskenry clubman’s second Allstar award.
Willie O’Donoghue (Limerick)
O’DONOGHUE isn’t afraid to act as the battering ram of the Limerick team. Neither is he afraid to get his hands dirty, go toe-to-toe with an opponent or two or sweep up loose ball in front of the Treaty defence. He is his team’s enforcer and richly deserving of his maiden Allstar award. The Na Piarsaigh clubman was outstanding in every match on the way to his third All-Ireland medal.
Darragh O’Donovan (Limerick)
AS FAR as stick-men go, they don’t come much better than O’Donovan. The 26-year-old is excellent on the ball, a ball of frantic energy all over the field and has a great engine to boot. He is an essential cog in the machine that makes Limerick tick in the middle of the park and also has a good eye for a point. His first Allstar.
Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick)
THE imposing teacher from Limerick city rules the air when it comes to puck outs and he is also superb at carrying the sliotar through challenges. The amount of attention he attracts from opposition often opens up opportunities for his team-mates and he scores some cracking points from distance. This is the St Patrick’s clubman’s second Allstar award.
Cian Lynch (Limerick)
HEAVILY tipped to be Hurler of the Year, Lynch is a game changer for Limerick. Ten points down at half-time to Tipperary in the Munster Championship final, Lynch emerged from the dressing room to cast a spell with his ability to win ball and use it brilliantly with perfectly timed hand and stick passes in a famous comeback. His third Allstar.
Tom Morrisey (Limerick)
MORRISEY may have been taken off against Cork in the Munster semi-final, but in the following three matches, he went on to hit 0-13 from play. The Ahane clubman is a workaholic on the pitch, fulfilling vital tasks that often go unnoticed. Powerful in the air and ruthlessly accurate in front of the posts, this is his second Allstar award.
Tony Kelly (Clare)
ONE of just three non-Limerick men in the Allstar 15, Kelly had a fine Championship for the Banner. Although naturally a midfielder, the Ballyea man spent much of the summer in the forward line and didn’t disappoint. He was brilliant in the win over Waterford, showed his quality against Tipperary and didn’t go missing in battle against Wexford and Cork either. His third Allstar.
Séamus Flanagan (Limerick)
THE Feohanagh Castlemahon clubman is a handful for any defence, bringing both physicality and pace to the table for Limerick. One of the things which stood out in 2021 was just how good he is at shooting over his shoulder. Although he was in and out of the team in 2019 and ’20, he showed this year how well he works with Aaron Gillane. His second Allstar.
Peter Casey (Limerick)
CASEY hit 0-5 from play in the first-half of the All-Ireland final against Cork before injury forced him off. It is a rare sight indeed to see him give the ball away and he isn’t averse to putting in the hard yards across the park either. At 24, this is the Na Piarsaigh clubman’s first Allstar award.
