Club hurling, you can’t beat it.
The club is where it all starts, it’s where it all ends, and it’s always, always competitive.
The majority of the county Championships are now over, apart from Galway due to controversy over an eligible/ineligible player, and as we edge into the provincial stages of competition, we’re now reaching the business stages of the action.
There are now only 16 clubs left standing, so it’s time to look at who’s been the best of the rest and the best of the best.
Limerick leading the way https://t.co/2i1kAyh7Jz
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 1, 2017
Here it goes.
10 – Dan Shanahan (Lismore, Waterford)
The ageless Waterford cult hero was on fire in the Déise senior hurling Championship this year
40 years young, Derek McGrath’s right hand man with Waterford racked up 8 goals for Lismore on their run to the county semi-finals, where they were eventually knocked out by Ballygunner.
The charismatic attacker gave plenty of full backs nightmares with his power, his deadly finishing and his ability to win ball.
Derek McGrath might be keeping a closer eye on him in the future.
9 – Will Leahy and Cian Fleming (Aghada and Imokilly, Cork)
The pair were healthy contributors to east Cork divisional side Imokilly’s first Cork senior hurling Championship win in 19 years, two weeks ago, and just a week later, they lifted the intermediate title with Aghada.
What a year https://t.co/rUSDC7q9O7
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 30, 2017
It’s rare enough to win one county Championship in a year, these lads won two.
8 – Cormac O’Doherty (Slaughtneil, Derry)
O’Doherty was shortlisted for the under-21 hurling team of the year in September, on the back of his form with Derry in their crusade to the All-Ireland semi-final, and he has carried that form into the Ulster club hurling competition with Slaughtneil.
Scored 1-10 in the decider, and was on top form getting there, too.
7 – Sean Moran (Cuala, Dublin)
The 24-year-old was a rock at the heart of the Cuala defence on Sunday against Kilmacud Crokes, contesting every ball, high and low, ferociously.
He’s a powerful runner, aerially adept, and has all the characteristics required of a centre back.
Will be pivotal to their hopes of retaining the Tommy Moore cup.
6 – Rory O’Connor (St Martin’s, Wexford)
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene with a lively display for the Model county in their All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Waterford.
After some impressive performances for the Wexford under-21s, the explosive attacker ripped it up for the Piercestown club in the Wexford county Championship, notching 2-5 in their semi-final win against Naomh Eanna, and 0-5 in their final triumph over Oulart.
"I'm only 5ft 9 but I feel 6ft 8" https://t.co/a9p8TY9ptJ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 25, 2017
O’Connor has lightening pace, superb skill and bundles of potential.
5 – Michael Casey (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick)
One of the most exciting talents from the exciting next generation of Limerick hurlers. A plucky defender, Casey was in dominant form in the Na Piarsaigh full-back line throughout the Treaty county Championship.
He’s stocky, quick off the mark and is an exceptionally tight marker. Well able to clear his lines if needs be, too.
4 – Peter Duggan (Clooney Quin, Clare)
The abrasive half-forward always came across as a ball-winner, a weapon in the air, and a physical specimen, but rarely, rarely did the inter-county audience get to see him as a finisher.
In fact, when he took over the Banner duties as free-taker in their qualifier loss to Tipperary, many of us were scratching our heads. Those with their finger on the pulse in Clare hurling circles weren’t, though.
Duggan was a tour-de-force in Clooney-Quin’s march to their first Clare senior hurling final in more than 70 years.
So proud of #Ennisns past pupil Peter Duggan as he receives the Clare Fm/ Manix Sports Star of the Month award yesterday. #hurling pic.twitter.com/sIm1e63wVc
— Ennis NationalSchool (@ennisns) October 16, 2017
The 6 ft 3 in giant racked up some almighty totals in the cream of the Banner club hurling competition, coming from sidelines, 65s, frees and from play.
- 2-13 against Feakle in a group stage game.
- 0-12 against Clonlara in the semi-final.
- 0-10 in the drawn final against Sixmilebridge.
- 0-10 in the replay.
Hopefully he can replicate that from in the blue and yellow next year.
3 – Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge, Clare)
A joy to watch due to the sheer breathtaking pace with which he moves, the Sixmilebridge half back was in top form as the club won their third title in five seasons.
Scored 0-3 from centre back in the drawn final with Clooney-Quin, he kept Peter Duggan quiet from play in the replay on his way to earning his man-of-the-match award.
Seadna didn’t give Peter Duggan much space today, he’s still stuck to him as Peter collects his top scorer and Seadna gets his ManOfMatch! pic.twitter.com/BfdlzpLHrj
— Sixmilebridge GAA (@SMBGAA) October 22, 2017
Will be crucial to their ambitions in Munster.
2 – Con O’Callaghan (Cuala, Dublin)
One of the best young footballers in the country, 21-year-old O’Callaghan was one of the key players in bringing the Dublin senior hurling Championship back to Dalkey for a third year running.
O’Callaghan has a powerful presence in the full forward line, he’s strong on the ball, well able to win his own possession and he’s a clinical finisher, too, managing 1-4 from play between the semi-final against St Vincent’s and the final against Kilmacud Crokes.
Crazy, crazy stuff https://t.co/AYUYgzP5lN
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 29, 2017
Would be some addition to the Dublin hurlers.
1 – Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner, Waterford)
Probably the most accurate hurler in the country, Mahony has been shooting the lights out for Ballygunner on their way to the Munster club hurling semi-finals.
Scored 0-8 in their Déise semi-final victory over Lismore, 0-9 in the final against De La Salle and 1-11 against Thurles in Sunday’s provincial quarter-final, with 0-5 coming from open play.
Give him a chance, and he will more often than not send it flying over the bar.
Mahony on top form could be exactly what Ballygunner need to finally convert their Waterford dominance to Munster and All-Ireland.
Honourable mentions
- Padraig and Aiden Boyle, Ballyduff, Kerry.
- Kevin Downes, Na Piarsaigh, Limerick.
- Cillian Buckley, Dicksboro, Kilkenny.
- Brendan Rodgers, Slaughtneil, Derry.
- Padraic Maher, Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary.
- Seamus Harnedy, Imokilly, Cork.
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