HS hurling team of the week
September 05, 2016
Tipperary's John and Noel McGrath celebrate with the Liam MacCarthy Cup after their All-Ireland final victory over Kilkenny at Croke Park.
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.
It was all about Tipperary when we sat down to select our All-Ireland final team of the week...
1. Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)
Murphy overcame an ankle injury to line out between the posts and his exploits saved the Cats from a heavier defeat.
2. Cathal Barrett (Tipperary)
Set up John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer for his goal with a trademark defensive clearance and helped keep the Cats at bay in the second-half.
3. James Barry (Tipperary)
Denied Kevin Kelly a second goal with a timely intervention and was a rock solid presence in the winners' defence.
4. Michael Cahill (Tipperary)
The number four's reading of the game was top class and he put in a great shift before being replaced late on.
5. Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny)
Kept plugging away and sent over two fine second-half points but failed to inspire those around him.
6. Ronan Maher (Tipperary)
The 20-year-old came of age in Croke Park yesterday and proved to be the rock on which Kilkenny's puck-out strategy perished.
7. Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
Sent over a fantastic second-half point and refused to yield an inch with another trademark determined display.
8. Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
The captain forgot to thank Michael Ryan in his acceptance speech but we're sure the manager forgave him after a fine defensive display.
9. Dan McCormack (Tipperary)
Registered a point and fulfilled his end of the bargain when it came to working tirelessly around the middle third of the field.
10. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
The Premier had their homework done on the Danesfort man but he did manage to make the scoresheet with 1-1 from play.
11. Patrick Maher (Tipperary)
'Bonner' epitomised Tipperary's exemplary work-rate and chipped in with two points from play for good measure.
12. Noel McGrath (Tipperary)
The Loughmore-Castleiney star put his shoulder to the wheel and set up his younger brother John for his second-half goal.
13. John O'Dwyer (Tipperary)
'Bubbles' justified Michael Ryan's decision to restore him to the starting 15 with a handsome return of 1-5.
14. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)
A masterclass from the classy full-forward who ran the Kilkenny defence ragged and everything he touched turned to gold.
15. John McGrath (Tipperary)
Along with O'Dwyer and Callanan, McGrath caused all sorts of problems for the Cats' full-back line and he contributed 1-3 to his side's winning tally.
