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Liam MacCarthy is back in Kilkenny after a championship full of high drama. We look back at six standout moments from the 2015 hurling championship which made us stand back and go 'wow'.

In the blink of an eye something special can take place but it has taken months of effort and preparation, as players get their bodies and minds ready.

Here are six moments that left a lasting impression from 2015:

1. Joe Canning's wonder goal in the Leinster final

He may have missed out on the All-Ireland senior medal he craves but Joe Canning has the 'goal of the year' accolade wrapped up.

The Tribesmen's full-forward is no stranger to scoring spectacular goals but his effort in this year's Leinster final surpassed all that went before. His spectacular catch and unstoppable shot, all in the one movement, was worth the admission price alone.

2. Eoin Larkin's point against Galway

Overshadowed by Canning's goal, the 2008 hurler of the year also delivered a moment of sublime skill in the Bob O'Keeffe decider. Larkin collected possession with neat control out along the Hogan Stand sideline before sending the sliotar over the bar at the Hill 16 end off the left.

The Cats later picked up their 70th Leinster senior title and the experienced Larkin also came up trumps in the All-Ireland decider.

3. Noel McGrath's return to action

The standing ovation that Tipperary's Noel McGrath received when introduced as a 62nd minute substitute in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Galway will live long in the memory.

Four months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, the 24-year-old edged the Premier County in front with a 69th minute point but two injury-time points swung the result in Galway's favour. Nevertheless, it was the year's shivers down the spine moment.

4. Seamus Callanan's one-man scoring heroics against Galway

It was difficult not to feel some sympathy for Seamus Callanan following their All-Ireland SHC semi-final exit at the hands of Galway. The Premier County's full-forward hit a massive 3-9 against the Tribesmen but all he had to show for his efforts was the 'man-of-the-match' award.

The 26-year-old will be key figure as the Munster champions aim to go a couple of steps further in 2016.

 

5. Jason Flynn's first-half point and long range free taking

Galway took the game to Cats in the first-half of this year's Liam MacCarthy final and Flynn's performance was one of the reasons why Anthony Cunningham's charges went in at the break with a three-point (0-14 to 1-8) advantage.

He scored four points in the opening 35 minutes including a superb effort from play when he required just one touch to take Colm Callanan's puck out under control before finding the target with his second touch.

6. TJ Reid's consistent brilliance

Prior to this year's championship, a lot of the talk centered around how Kilkenny would cope with the retirements of Henry Shefflin, JJ Delaney, Brian Hogan, Tommy Walsh, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity. As events panned out, TJ Reid & Co continued where they left off in 2014.

Hurler of the Year elect Reid was consistency personified and accumulated 4-32 as the Cats swept aside all before them.

 

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