DJ Carey  last night equalled the all-time record of nine awards at the Vodaphone All Stars banquet in Dublin. His selection on this year's hurling team brought the Kilkenny player level with Kerry footballer Pat Spillane, who also took nine awards between 1976-86.

This All Star is unusual in that he only returned to the county colours after the Leinster final, but such was the impact of his displays against Tipperary and Clare that his inclusion in this year's selection was inevitable.

He marked his return with two points and the creation of the decisive goal in the All-Ireland semi-final and, in the final, he swooped for goal in the opening minutes, effectively finishing the match before it started.

His year has continued in fine style with a second county medal for his club Young Irelands and he will be facing All-Ireland champions Birr in tomorrow's Leinster final.

Carey is one of seven Kilkenny players included in the selection, predictably giving the All-Ireland champions this year's biggest representation. There aren't many surprises in the line-up, although a couple of positions must have been close calls.

There was a hard choice to be made in the half-back line, with three outstanding candidates at centre back. Sean McMahon loses out after a very good year for Clare.

At times McMahon touched the heights of his imperious best, but he also had a couple of difficult afternoons, specifically in the Munster quarter-final against Tipperary when Conor Gleeson gave him a hard time and then in the All-Ireland final when Henry Shefflin made a blistering start in Kilkenny's decisive early move.

Waterford centre back Fergal Hartley is accommodated on the right wing of the defence after an excellent and almost flawless year in the championship matches against Cork, Tipperary and Clare.

Captain of the first team from the county in 39 years to win the Munster title, he emerged with credit even from the disappointment of All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Clare.

There was no real doubt about the best centre back of the championship. Kilkenny's Peter Barry moved there from the wing during the county's successful league campaign and gave a series of commanding displays.

Tipperary's Paul Kelly is selected on the left wing and joins his brother Eoin, who retains the All Star at right corner forward. They are the first brothers to be honoured since 1994 when Offaly pair Johnny and Billy Dooley were selected. The same brothers also received Players' All Stars in 1995.

Centrefield was straightforward, with Colin Lynch gaining recognition after his best year since 1997.

His partner is Kilkenny's Derek Lyng, who sees off the claims of his captain, Andy Comerford. Lyng found his feet during the successful league campaign and improved dramatically throughout the championship and is a deserving winner.

Waterford's main tool of destruction in the memorable Munster final triumph was a free-scoring half-forward line, with Eoin Kelly and Ken McGrath prominent, and both are recognised in this year's selection. McGrath has been regarded as one of the country's best hurlers since his debut in 1996 and he enjoyed a magical Munster final.

There will, however, be reservations given his part in the All-Ireland semi-final against Clare when he fell well below the sort of standards that his talent demands, as Waterford slumped to a disappointing defeat.

Hurler of the Year Henry Shefflin is named at centre forward. Another of the newcomers is full forward Martin Comerford in his debut year.

The Player of the Year awards went to Shefflin (hurling) and Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney (football) who also won the GPA equivalent earlier this month. Young Players of the Year were: Armagh full forward Ronan Clarke (football) and Eoin Kelly of Tipperary (hurling) for the second successive year.

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