The Young Hurler of the Year award was initiated by the GAA Writers' Association in 1996. The four winners have had a varied degree of success since they won their awards.

1996 - Mark Foley (Limerick, top right) - A championship debutante in '95, Foley played in the win against Tipperary and the Munster final defeat by Clare. His swashbuckling wing back play was particularly in evidence in '96 as Limerick progressed to their second All-Ireland in three years, where they were again beaten, this time by Wexford. Won an All Star as well as Young Player award for his efforts. As Eamonn Cregan remodelled his team this year, Foley was sometimes used as a centre back, a forward and a centrefielder. Has always maintained his high standards and was prominent in last week's exit to Cork. However, in his six years of championship hurling, we have only seen him 12 times, a fact indicative of Limerick's decline.

1997 - Eugene O'Neill (Tipperary, left) - Perhaps the award winner with most left to prove - even after yesterday's seven-point contribution. Glittering underage career. Introduced to championship in '97 as Len Gaynor remodelled his team for the All-Ireland quarter-final against Down following the Munster final defeat by Clare. Impressed at full forward, troubling Wexford's Ger Cushe in the semi-final, and scoring 1-1 against Clare's Brian Lohan in the final. Before yesterday he had played only one championship game since '97, however - and that the defeat by Waterford in '98. Got run at centrefield in league, but disappeared from view as championship approached. Thrown a lifeline by Nicky English this week - and grabbed it yesterday.

1998 - Stephen Byrne (Offaly, middle right) - One of Babs Keating's better legacies to Offaly. After a few years of nervous rotation by Offaly, Byrne proved the man who could fill the goalkeeper's jersey with the same elan as Jim Troy. Critical saves in '98 against Wexford and Clare (the re-match, in particular) earned him an All Star as well. Could not be blamed for Kilkenny's five-goal blitz last year.

1999 - Diarmuid O'Sullivan (Cork, bottom right) - Debuted in '97 against Clare as a corner back, but was always destined for the number three jersey. Physically-imposing, he was a focal point for the team on their way to last year's All-Ireland. Managed to elude the GAC's machinations last week in the wake of the Brian Begley incident.