Former President of the GAA Nickey Brennan has expressed his disbelief that Kilkenny star JJ Delaney, arguably "the most consistent performer in any sport in this country over the past decade", was omitted from the GPA Hurling Team of the Year for 2010.

Delaney had been named in the All-Star XV but found himself overlooked for a place on the GPA side, chosen by his peers.

A five-time All-Star winner, the 28-year-old had been regarded by many as a contender for Hurler of the Year honours for a second time in his career following another fine campaign for the Cats.

And Brennan admits he was stunned by his countyman's omission from the GPA selection. In his Kilkenny People column, he wrote, "There is always interest each year in seeing how much the GAA All-Stars selection differs from the team chosen by the GPA.

"This time there was a lot of common ground between the two selections when it came to the hurling team [but] the omission of JJ Delaney was a major shock.

"I am certain that where Brian Cody and his two colleagues sit down to pick a Kilkenny team, the name JJ Delaney is pencilled in without debate. There surely has not been a more consistent performer in any sport in this country over the past decade.

"The quality of Delaney's plan continued unabated this year. He consistently lorded it over every single opponent throughout the summer as we watched in awe of his catching and striking.

"Tipperary's Padraic Maher got the nod from his fellow players for the number seven shirt. He is, undoubtedly, a hugely talented player but any reasonable analyst of this year's championship would clearly show that Delaney was head and shoulders above every other left half back in the country." Tweet

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