The three Clare hurlers who line out with St Joseph's Doora-Barefield in the Munster club final tomorrow have each been honoured in the 1998 Eircell All Star awards.

The overall pattern of the team mirrors last week's football selection in that it is again dominated by the All-Ireland champions - seven Offaly players feature - while the National League champions, Cork, have failed to gain a representative.

Speaking at last night's presentation ceremony, GAA President Joe McDonagh described the hurling year as one "of drama and sometimes controversy but never less than exhilarating".

The omission of Brian Corcoran, who spearheaded Cork's drive through the league, is one of the more contentious aspects of this year's selection.

Waterford supporters may feel that one representative - Tony Browne at midfield - is a poor return after their trail-blazing summer and, in truth, reasonable cases might have been tabled on behalf of defender Stephen Frampton and hot-heeled forward Paul Flynn.

But, as with the football selectors, it is difficult to quibble with the players who made the grade. As anticipated, Offaly defender Brian Whelahan has been named at full forward, despite merely ad libbing his way through (an incredibly influential) offensive cameo in the second half of the All-Ireland final.

Whelahan's appearance in the forward ranks serves to highlight the relative dearth of scoring prowess in a season defined by defensively-orientated teams.

The All Star defensive seven has been shaped around four pivotal Offaly players - goalkeeper Stephen Byrne, full back Kevin Kinahan, corner back Martin Hanamy and Kevin Martin at wing back.

Martin personified Offaly's collective effort throughout the championship, silencing opponents with spirited, streetwise thrift while underlining his game with the natural flourishes which characterise the Offaly style.

There will be little argument with the players who accompany the Offaly quartet in the backs.

Clare's Seanie McMahon was a virtual certainty for the number six position, even after they were eliminated by Offaly in the AllIreland semi-final, and Anthony Daly, who has been chosen at right wing back, also had a very strong season.

Kilkenny veteran Willie O'Connor deservedly completes the lineup. The feisty corner back is one of just two players from the Leinster champions and beaten All-Ireland finalists to secure a place.

At first glance, that may seem harsh, but Kilkenny's summer was defined by pragmatism and collective durability rather than any shining individual performances. Only sprightly corner forward Charlie Carter put any real sheen on their steady advance through to the final, which has been acknowledged by his selection at number 15.

The other corner-forward place has inevitably gone to Joe Dooley, who epitomised Offaly's late renaissance by striking ever more spectacular scores as the championship progressed. Although he won his third All-Ireland in September, this is, remarkably, his first All Star award, a timely recognition of the veteran's contribution to the game.

With the 1998 GAA Writers Hurler of the Year Whelahan entrenched at full forward, the third Offaly attacker to receive an All-Star is Michael Duignan, whose strong, direct, presence was invaluable to manager Michael Bond as the season reached a climax. Martin Storey, at centre forward, is Wexford's only recipient, while Clare's Jamesie O'Connor, also at wing forward, has been honoured with a third All Star.

O'Connor's selection - along with those of McMahon and Ollie Baker - marks something of a milestone for their club, St Joseph's Doora-Barefield, who contest tomorrow's Munster senior hurling final against Toomevara. Baker, as widely expected, partners Waterford's Browne at midfield.

The Waterford man set the midfield standard with his performances in the Munster championship while Baker was magnificent for Clare during their ill-fated defence of the All-Ireland title.

Indeed, the inclusion of four Clare players on the All Star team provides a consolatory footnote to a topsy turvy year which came unhinged through suspensions, rancour and the most talked about refereeing decision in the history of the game.

The All Star has a very worldly-wise look; 10 players have featured on previous selections.