2010 ALL STAR AWARDS:TIPPERARY'S status as All-Ireland hurling champions was reflected in last night's announcement of the Vodafone GAA All Stars. The county picked up six awards, just one ahead of Kilkenny, whose bid for a record five-in-a-row they derailed in last month's final.
The champions also landed the two big individual awards, with Lar Corbett selected as Hurler of the Year after a season that culminated in him becoming the first player in 40 years to hit three goals in an All-Ireland final.
Team-mate Brendan Maher was named Young Hurler of the Year after an outstanding season at centrefield, which also earned him a nomination for the senior award.
In football, the individual awards were more predictable, with Dublin’s Bernard Brogan becoming the first Footballer of the Year not to have played in the All-Ireland final – apart from Kevin Heffernan in 1974, the year he was manager of the Dublin team that came from nowhere to win that year’s All-Ireland.
It has happened in hurling previously with Cork’s Christy Ring in 1959 and Dan Shanahan of Waterford three years ago.
Brogan had an immense year scoring 3-42 in the championship on Dublin’s run to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
The Young Footballer of the Year award went to Cork’s Aidan Walsh after a memorable debut season at centrefield culminated in him winning an All-Ireland medal and adding an All Star.
There was a seventh hurling All Star for Tipp captain Eoin Kelly, which moves him within two of the record, jointly held by Kilkenny’s DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin. Injury prevented Shefflin from moving clear at the top this year with his 10th award, although he was nominated.
Shefflin’s team-mate, right wing back Tommy Walsh equalled his record of eight successive All Stars, having won one every year of his career since debuting in 2003.
Other multiple winners included Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, who has now won five since his first, 10 years ago, Kilkenny’s left wing back JJ Delaney, who also picked up his fifth last night, and team-mate Jackie Tyrrell, who was honoured for the fourth successive year at left corner back.
Waterford were the next most successful with three All Stars, including a third for both centre back Michael Walsh and right corner forward John Mullane.
Right corner back Noel Connors was honoured for the first time and also nominated for Young Hurler of the Year, as was Tipperary’s Noel McGrath (last year’s recipient), who last night picked up his second All Star.
Damien Hayes was Galway’s only award winner, selected at right wing forward and adding to the All Star received five years ago.
Like last year there are five newcomers to the All Stars team: Connors, Tipperary full back Paul Curran, Maher, Kilkenny full forward Richie Power and his team-mate Michael Fennelly, who was also recognised in his nomination for Hurler of the Year.
Last night’s awards featured five players who were also honoured in 2009: Tyrrell, Tommy and Michael Walsh, McGrath and Mullane.
Unlike the football selection, which drew on eight counties, the hurling is more restricted, with 11 as opposed to eight awards going to the All-Ireland finalists and overall, just four counties honoured.
The selection is likely to one of the less contentious in the scheme’s history, with perhaps Cork goalkeeper Donal Cusack and Tipperary’s Pádraic Maher having claims for selection.
Footballer of the Year: Bernard Brogan (Dublin)
Young Footballer of the Year: Aidan Walsh (Cork)
Hurler of the Year: Lar Corbett (Tipperary)
Young Hurler of the Year: Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
Hurling breakdown: Tipperary 6, Kilkenny 5, Waterford 3, Galway 1.
Last year's hurling team: PJ Ryan (Kilkenny); Ollie Canning (Galway), Pádraic Maher (Tipperary), Jackie Tyrrell (Kilkenny); Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Michael Walsh (Waterford), Conor O'Mahony (Tipperary); Michael Rice (Kilkenny), Alan McCrabbe (Dublin); Lar Corbett (Tipperary), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny); Noel McGrath (Tipperary), Joe Canning (Galway), John Mullane (Waterford).
