Recently there has been a lot of debate about the hurling all stars and who should and should not be included. I have gone one step further and picked my best 15 in the country - not based solely on this year as the all stars are. But obviously taking into account performances this year as well as the recent few seasons. I would like to see other people's choice of team or changes that could be made to my team. I don't think I have been biased for or against any county and picked this as fairly as possible.
1.Anthony Nash - Dont think there will be much debate here. Think he is a step ahead of 4 or 5 others.
2.Paul Murphy - One of the easiest decisions.
3.JJ Delaney - One of the all time greats. Age was the only thing that may have gone against him but he showed he can still run in the All Ireland final, Richie McCarthy unlucky probably the closest call in the whole team.
4.Seamus Hickey - Always rated him extremely highly back to his days at St.Flannans. Finally found his best position for Limerick. Just held off Jackie Tyrrell.
5.Kevin Moran - (Captain) Usually plays 7 or midfield, switches seamlessly to 5. Too good to leave out. Fantastic leader.
6.Brendan Maher - Probably better on the wing still an excellent centre back stylish hurler - reads the game so well, had to be in team, Liam Rushe not far off.
7.Padraic Maher - One of the mos dominant hurlers around. Cillian Buckley probably next in line.
8.Richie Hogan - Best player in the country right now.
9.Tony Kelly - Last years hurler of the year couldn't be left out, incredibly talented.
10.Joe Cannning - One of the top players in the country. Strong in the air, great striker off both sides - wing forward would suit his talents.
11.Patrick Maher - Work rate invaluable to any team. Brings balance to this team. Ball winner. Very effective style of play.
12.TJ Reid - Has become Kilkennys most important forward. Lot of contenders such as Sutcliffe, Lehane, Harnedy and John O'Dwyer all not far away.
13.Pat Horgan - One of the best natural finishers in the Country, ideal corner forward really.
14.Seamus Callinan - Strong in the air, quick, scorers off both sides, serious goal scorer. Very narrowly holds off fellow goal predator Richie Power. Also would be free taker, seems to bring out the best in him, whereas it can negatively impact others.
15.Conor McGrath - great feet, excellent finisher, top class forward. Another ideal corner forward. Noel McGrath maybe a little too inconsistent to be included.
4 Kilkenny, 4 Tipperary, 2 Clare, 2 Cork, 1 Galway, 1 Limerick, 1 Waterford

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 30/10/2014 11:23:18    1668266

I'll probably get rounded on here but here goes: am I the only one who thinks Bonner Maher is overrated? You say he's a good striker off both sides, I actually think he's quite a poor striker. I mean, how many long range points does he get? I can't think of any that come to mind. Especially compared to, say, Noel McGrath or Bubbles Dwyer.

Plus I think he's extremely awkward in possession but, a bit like Kilkenny's John Power in the 90s, that awkwardness somehow works in his favour as defenders seem to struggle with his unorthodox style.

Look, I know he is what he is and he's not in the team to paint pretty pictures, but if I had a choice between Bonner and Richie Power, who's also an effective primary possession winner, I'd go for Power every time.

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 30/10/2014 20:27:29    1668498

If we going on this year I dont think Nash was top keeper Alan Nolan was in my book best keeper

Paul Murphy is a shoe in

JJ is a legend in every meaning of the word but Richie mac is best 3 in Ireland this year.

S Hickey another shoe in

Am a huge fan of Moran and although unusual to see him at 5 I wouldnt argue with it

Also agree on 2 mahers. Brendan at 6 just confirms how few top quality 6s are around but I would have him there in some position.

Hogan is also a shoe in but McGrath Fogarty A Walsh or Jimbob Ryan (prob green tinted glasses but Id pick Jimbob) would all make 9 before Kelly for me.

Bubbles O Dwyer and TJ Reid are shoe ins at w forward for me with honourable mention to J Conlon.

I agree with Ballydalane on Bonners striking but think his awkwardness and his direct approach make him the best 11 in the game

R Power Callinan and McGrath would be my f forward line.

disillusiondfan (Limerick) - Posts: 4279 - 30/10/2014 20:48:32    1668505

I'd remove the two cork lads for a start. Eoin Murphy for goals. Stick Richie Power in. Take out Bonnar and put Tony Kelly centre forward. Switch Moran or Brendan Maher to midfield and stick Rushe in centre back.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 30/10/2014 20:52:06    1668508

Hurlingexpert that's why you are a expert wouldn't/couldn't disagree with that team its spot on,killarney horgan and nash would walk into any team

blackrockeddie (Cork) - Posts: 160 - 30/10/2014 21:11:12    1668522

Hurling Expert
I saw Pat Horgan in the Munster Final, All Ireland Semi Final and the Cork County Final and he was outplayed in all three games. He even missed simple frees in the latter and I am almost sure he was held scoreless from play in that game. How you would select him ahead of Shane Dowling who carried a poor enough forward line against Tipp, Cork and Kilkenny and scored two killer goals against Wexford is beyond comprehension. Despite the pleas of players who were genuinely good like Conor Lehane, Austin Glesson, Liam Ryan, Tony Kelly and Conor McGrath, Jim Ryan and Paul Browne among others, I feel the All Stars got it just about right this time.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4317 - 30/10/2014 21:25:04    1668527

Hurling Expert
I saw Pat Horgan in the Munster Final, All Ireland Semi Final and the Cork County Final and he was outplayed in all three games. He even missed simple frees in the latter and I am almost sure he was held scoreless from play in that game. How you would select him ahead of Shane Dowling who carried a poor enough forward line against Tipp, Cork and Kilkenny and scored two killer goals against Wexford is beyond comprehension. Despite the pleas of players who were genuinely good like Conor Lehane, Austin Glesson, Liam Ryan, Tony Kelly and Conor McGrath, Jim Ryan and Paul Browne among others, I feel the All Stars got it just about right this time.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4317 - 30/10/2014 21:27:29    1668530

BlackrockEddie I think you have green tinted shades on. Nash is good but Eoin Murphy is better and that is directly comparing them. Tipp found it extremely difficult to score goals past Murphy, he is a superb keeper.

Pat Horgan is an excellent freetaker but he doesn't do enough from play. Callinan, TJ reid, and Dowling all contribute more from play and are just as good over placed balls. So I would pick anyone of those three over Horgan. Dowling and Callinan performed against Kilkeeny, Horgan didn't show up against Tipp. Reid scored a crucial goal against Tipp the first day.

Don't get me wrong I think Nash and Horgan are very good but we are talking about the best 15 of all players available.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 31/10/2014 11:59:23    1668607

Brendan Maher best no.6 in Ireland? No chance.

Taking into account proven ability, 2014 performances and age.

1. Eoin Murphy
2. Paul Murphy
3. David McInerney
4. Seamus Hickey
5. Padraic Maher (His best position by far. Tipp just can't afford to play him there.)
6. Liam Rushe
7. Kevin Moran
8. Richie Hogan
9. Colm Galvin
10. Tony Kelly
11. Bonner Maher
12. Tj Reid
13. Joe Canning
14. Seamus Callanan
15. Conor McGrath

Hurling1Guru1 (Galway) - Posts: 244 - 31/10/2014 13:46:42    1668651

Guru just would query idea of 4 players on team of the year from a county that didnt even win a match and probably their best player (Conlon) not included???????
McInerney didnt even pay at 3 for Clare as Dillon spent more time on edge of square (I know somebody said different recently but Im pretty sure Dillon played more at 3 for Clare)
I wouldnt make a strong argument against Galvin he is class but didnt shine enough this year for inclusion in my view.

As for Tony Kelly he is a top class hurler for sure but cannot play anywhere in the half forward line becasue he cannot win a puck out. That Limits him to f forward line (didnt really work) or preferably midfield and he didnt do enough to get on in midfield this year.

Conlon and McGrath were in my opinion the best Clare players this year and Conlon is most unlucky to come up against Bubbles( canning in ur team) and Reid.

Just my thoughts that all.

disillusiondfan (Limerick) - Posts: 4279 - 31/10/2014 14:09:39    1668660

Just to clarify as there appears to be confusion, the original poster said the best 15 not just from this year.
So my overall 15 is:
Nash (Cork)
Murphy (Kilkenny)
McCarthy (Limerick)
Hickey (Limerick)
K Moran (Waterford)
Rushe (Dublin)
P Maher (Tipperary)
Kelly (Clare)
Brick Walsh (Waterford)
Hogan (Kilkenny)
M Fennelly (Kilkenny)
O' Dwyer (Tipp)

McInerney, Galvin and McGrath from Clare, Bonnar Maher and Callinan from Tipp, Delaney and Tennyson from Kilkenny, Lyng from Wexford and Hannon from Limerick all close
Reid (Kilkenny)
Canning (Galway)
Horgan (Cork)

pj_mcmanus (Limerick) - Posts: 431 - 31/10/2014 14:53:17    1668675

Reid, Canning and Horgan, from the last post, were the full forward line

pj_mcmanus (Limerick) - Posts: 431 - 31/10/2014 15:00:10    1668680

just to point out again (to oldtourman in particular) that my team was not based specifically based on this year because as we know everyone cant play their best every year. so its based on performances over the last few years thats why i stand by my decisions on nash and horgan. nash was the standout keeper by a mile for the last 2 seasons before this year and just because he didnt quiet reach that level this year i think he didnt play that badly for him not to still be considered the best in his position. with horgan my thoughts are the very same, he didnt have his best season this year but he has been one of the best forwards around so i included him ahead of a few players who have just had their first outstanding season (dowling + bubbles especially).
in response to ballydalane i never said bonner is a good striker off both sides - that comment was clearly about canning. just on canning actually i think he is very unlucky that he is not on a top team and there is so much pressure on him to deliver the goods everyday when he is being doubled marked quiet often, i have little doubt that if he was from tipperary or kilkenny he would be the considered the best hurler in the country now and would be a legend. it is just so hard for him in galways current situation.
df i couldnt disagree with much of what you have said just about tony kelly. i agree that he is not the best man to win a puck out but just because of that it shouldnt mean he cant play in the half forward line because no team i would think has 3 players in their half forward line that would be considered ball winners. so if he had two wing forwards either side of him that were capable of winning puckouts then there is no reason why he cant play there.
also for what its worth i found it extremely difficult to leave out bubbles and richie power i know they are both fantastic players but at the end of the day their is only 6 forward positions available and i think overall i got the balance right with the 6 i went for.

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 31/10/2014 15:02:55    1668681

If I could pick any 15 players I'd pick as my team, here it is:

1. Gary Maguire
2. Paul Murphy
3. JJ Delaney
4. Jackie Tyrell
5. John Gardiner
6. Noel McGrath
7. Kevin Moran
8. Richie Hogan
9. Conal Keaney
10. John O'Dwyer
11. Joe Canning
12. TJ Reid
13. Conor McGrath
14. Seamus Callinan
15. Pat Horgan

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2550 - 31/10/2014 15:09:07    1668682

it was mentioned above that john tennyson and diarmuid lyng would be close but how can this be possible when neither have played for their counties in the last few years. tennyson retired from intercounty hurling early last year so to say he would be close is an irrelevant comment.
also icehonesty john gardiner?? are you serious? he has not started a game for cork since july 2011 - over 3 years ago and has since only made one substitute appearance. while i do think that he is/was good enough to have played another few years there is absolutely no evidence to say that he can be on the CURRENT best team. as he has done nothing of note at club level over the last few years either. noel mcgrath at center back is another unusual call as i have for 1 have never seen him play center back the last time i can even remember him playing in defense is when he was minor when he wore number 7 which was at least 6 years ago. so there is no evidence that he should be considered the best center back.

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 31/10/2014 15:40:33    1668694

Dont understand what Canning has done in the past 2 or 3 years that merits him being in anyones squad. He had a great year in 2012 but since then he has been very average. What has he done? Am I missing something?

deadybai (Kilkenny) - Posts: 63 - 31/10/2014 16:09:15    1668699

icehonesty
County: Wexford
Posts: 1703

1668682
If I could pick any 15 players I'd pick as my team, here it is:

1. Gary Maguire
2. Paul Murphy
3. JJ Delaney
4. Jackie Tyrell
5. John Gardiner
6. Noel McGrath
7. Kevin Moran
8. Richie Hogan
9. Conal Keaney
10. John O'Dwyer
11. Joe Canning
12. TJ Reid
13. Conor McGrath
14. Seamus Callinan
15. Pat Horgan

A definite mistake surely?

Pat Horgan did not really have a good year. If you were picking on this year, he would not be top 6 - Shane Dowling would definitely be there. Overall, it would be hard to let him out of a team. He has sublime skill - I am biased but his score in the All-Ireland final (drawn game) 2013 was the best I have ever seen - it was perfect control, shortening of the grip and strike over the shoulder from distance with a defender stuck to him. Added to that it was final minute of the final with the sides level - a dream score and like Nadia Comancei - it was the perfect 10.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 31/10/2014 16:12:09    1668701

sorry hurling expert, meant Tyrell from Kilkenny and Chin from Wexford

pj_mcmanus (Limerick) - Posts: 431 - 31/10/2014 16:28:40    1668708

ballydalane
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 278

1668498
I'll probably get rounded on here but here goes: am I the only one who thinks Bonner Maher is overrated?

He's not a stylish hurler compared to some of the names you mentioned I'll agree. And he doesn't score a huge amount. But he is powerful, fast and generally pretty intelligent. He's an important cog for us.

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 31/10/2014 17:05:24    1668711

Bennybunny - No mistake about Gardiner. I thought he was a fabulous hurler and was, along with Tony Browne, my favourite wing back of the last 10 years. I saw him play a club game and feel he is still excellent. In my opinion.

Dowling from Limerick is a powerful, accurate player, but is extremely one-sided and his skill levels are nowhere near being in the top 6 forwards in the country. In my opinion.

Finally, I put Noel McGrath at centre-back because I predict he will eventually be put there by Tipperary, and when he is the whole country will wonder why he hasn't always been there. He will be, if and when given the chance, the best centre back Tipperary have had in decades.

The team is not my All-Star team. It is the team I'd pick as manager if I had the pick of the whole country.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2550 - 31/10/2014 17:37:36    1668721