Limerick lead the way in PwC All-Star hurling nominations

Three-in-a-row MacCarthy Cup champions Limerick are the commanding force in today’s announcement of PwC All-Star hurling nominations for 2022, with 12 places in the coveted shortlist of 45 names.

Winners of a record 12 PwC All-Stars last year, the Treaty County continue to have the highest representation on the back of their continuing all-conquering form, with 10 counties in all featured.

Kilkenny’s 2021 All-Star goalkeeper Eoin Murphy will be up against Limerick number one Nickie Quaid and Galway’s Éanna Murphy for the award.

A winner of four PwC All-Stars in a row, Limerick’s Seán Finn is again nominated among the best 18 defenders of 2022 and is joined by colleagues Barry Nash, Mike Casey, Diarmaid Byrnes and Declan Hannon.

Four of Kilkenny’s eight nominees in total are in defence, with Clare also receiving four nominations at the back, while Galway have three and Cork’s Ciarán Joyce and Wexford’s Damien Reck are also acknowledged for their great form.

Clare’s run to an epic Munster final and to the All-Ireland semi-finals is reflected in a haul of eight nominees in total. David Fitzgerald and Ryan Taylor are named in the six-man shortlist for centre-field alongside Limerick’s William O’Donoghue, Kilkenny’s Adrian Mullen, Galway’s Tom Monaghan and Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork.

After another high-scoring summer, Limerick’s impressive attack is dominant in the 18 names listed. Galway have strong contenders in Conor Whelan, Cathal Mannion and Joseph Cooney. Following hauls of 59 points and 58 points, which left them fourth and fifth place respectively in the overall championship scoring charts, Dublin’s Dónal Burke and Westmeath’s Killian Doyle deservedly feature, with Tony Kelly and Shane O’Donnell, Lee Chin, Dessie Hutchinson, Noel McGrath and Robbie O’Flynn also having their strong form recognised.

The overall PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year and Young Hurler of the Year titles are voted on exclusively by the inter-county players themselves. Kilkenny’s ever-green genius T.J. Reid is in the three-man shortlist with Limerick’s defensive inspirations Barry Nash and Diarmaid Byrnes for company.

Current holder Eoin Cody is again eligible for the Young Hurler Award and is named along with team-mate Mikey Butler and Cork’s Ciarán Joyce.

Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy commented: “Today is a special moment for the 45 hurlers who have been successfully shortlisted for a PwC All-Star in 2022 and an achievement that will be proudly shared by their families and clubs.

“Seeing people back in person at matches this year added to the excitement and, as always, our hurling competitions rose to the occasion, with no shortage of highlights to illuminate the season.

“To be recognised for your contribution to those great games is something special as we salute the best of the best from the season, and I also want to congratulate T.J., Diarmaid and Barry for their additional honour in being nominated as PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year and Mikey, Ciarán and Eoin in being nominated for the PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year.”

Tom Parsons, former Mayo footballer and CEO of the GPA, added: “Congratulations to each and every player who contributed to such a memorable year for hurling. As Limerick made their own piece of history, completing a three-in-a-row, many players put in performances which made them worthy to be considered for PwC All-Stars.

“To the 45 players who have made the shortlist, well done. It is only right that your individual performances are being recognised with these nominations.

“To our PwC Hurler of the Year and PwC Young Hurler of the Year nominees, a special word of congratulations too, and to PwC, thank you for your ongoing support for inter-county players.”

Feargal O’Rourke, managing partner, PwC, said: “From everyone at PwC, I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the 45 hurlers announced as PwC All-Star nominees and also to those shortlisted for the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year and Young Hurler of the Year. You each displayed outstanding individual and team performances in yet another exhilarating championship. These nominations recognise your talent and commitment and are thoroughly deserved.”

Dating back to 1971, the All-Stars are selected by a team of GAA journalists from across print, radio, digital, TV and broadcast media. There will be two additional hurling selections honoured to cover outstanding players in the Joe McDonagh Cup and a Champion 15 from across the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cup campaigns.

The PwC All-Stars will be presented at a black-tie banquet in Dublin’s Convention Centre on Friday, October 28, shown live on RTÉ TV. The hurling team will be announced live on the night, with the football team being released publicly 24 hours earlier.

PwC All-Stars hurling nominations 2022: goalkeepers - Éanna Murphy (Galway), Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny), Nickie Quaid (Limerick); defenders - Seán Finn (Limerick), Barry Nash (Limerick), Mike Casey (Limerick), Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick), Declan Hannon (Limerick), Mikey Butler (Kilkenny), Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny), Richie Reid (Kilkenny), Paddy Deegan (Kilkenny), Paul Flanagan (Clare), John Conlon (Clare), Diarmuid Ryan (Clare), David McInerney (Clare), Daithí Burke (Galway), Fintan Burke (Galway), Pádraic Mannion (Galway), Ciarán Joyce (Cork), Damien Reck (Wexford); midfielders - David Fitzgerald (Clare), Ryan Taylor (Clare), Tom Monaghan (Galway), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork), William O’Donoghue (Limerick), Adrian Mullen (Kilkenny); forwards - Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick), Kyle Hayes (Limerick), Tom Morrissey (Limerick), Aaron Gillane (Limerick), Séamus Flanagan (Limerick), T.J. Reid (Kilkenny), Eoin Cody (Kilkenny), Conor Whelan (Galway), Cathal Mannion (Galway), Joseph Cooney (Galway), Tony Kelly (Clare), Shane O’Donnell (Clare), Robbie O’Flynn (Cork), Dessie Hutchinson (Waterford), Noel McGrath (Tipperary), Lee Chin (Wexford), Dónal Burke (Dublin), Killian Doyle (Westmeath).