The Clare veteran goalkeeper, Davy Fitzgerald, and Kilkenny's Noel Hickey have been named as captains for the Vodafone All Stars hurling exhibition which takes place today in Phoenix, Arizona.
"It is something I certainly did not expect and it is a great honour," said Hickey when he heard of his selection as captain of the 2003 All Star selection.
The choices were made by the two team managers, Cyril Lyons and Brian Cody.
The game is attracting considerable interest within the Irish community in the wide urban sprawl that is Phoenix and the organisers are also expecting visitors from San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.
The managers have decided to field two 13-a-side selections and the Kilkenny manager, Cody, expects the game to be a competitive affair.
"Exhibition games are difficult but two years ago in Buenos Aires we saw a tremendous game.
"These guys enjoy playing with players from other counties and they are anxious to play well. They also feel an obligation to put on a show for the people who have been looking after us so well," he said.
THE 2002 SELECTION
D Fitzgerald (Clare); M Kavanagh (Kilkenny), P Larkin (Kilkenny); C Herron (Antrim), F Hartley (Waterford), P Kelly (Tipperary); T Browne (Waterford), D Lyng (Kilkenny); E Kelly (Waterford), H Shefflin (Kilkenny), K McGrath (Waterford); E Kelly (Tipperary), M Jordan (Wexford). Subs: P Barry (Kilkenny), K Broderick (Galway).
THE 2003 SELECTION
B Cummins (Tipperary); D Ryan (Wexford), N Hickey (Kilkenny); O Canning (Galway), L Dunne (Wexford), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny); T Griffin (Clare), T Walsh (Kilkenny); J Mullane (Waterford), J Hoyne (Kilkenny), B Murphy (Offaly); P Flynn (Waterford), E Brennan (Kilkenny). Subs: C Cassidy (Offaly), B Dunne (Tipperary).
