Fourteen of the Kilkenny team that captured the All-Ireland hurling title in September have been nominated for the forthcoming annual Eircell All Star awards, in marked contrast to their defeated opponents Offaly, who have just five representatives.
Given that beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists Galway have 10 and Cork, whom Offaly beat at the semi-final stage, have six players in contention, the All-Ireland runners-up would appear to have been judged by severe criteria.
However, they had a mixed season, performing with their traditional combination of spirit and skill only in that semi-final win against Cork. Their five representatives - Johnny Dooley, Simon Whelahan, Gary Hanniffy, Johhny Pilkington and Michael Duignan, were superb in that encounter and have been singled out for that reason.
Well beaten by Kilkenny in the Leinster final and in the All-Ireland final, Offaly were stretched by unfancied Ulster representatives Derry before lifting themselves against Cork. Before the championship it would have been thought inconceivable that Offaly would make it to an All-Ireland final and that Brian Whelahan would finish the year without an All Star nomination.
The one dry spot for Kilkenny is at wing forward, the only area in which Brian Cody's side was in any way unsettled. Regular starter Stephen Grehan was benched days before the All-Ireland in favour of newcomer John Hoyne, who had a composed if unsensational match. The team's dominance throughout the championship could see this year's All Star team bear a distinctly black and amber slant.
Galway's distinguished run through the league and past Tipperary in the All-Ireland quarter-final marked their finest season in over half a decade. Although the late capitulation against Kilkenny was disappointing, they discovered some new talents. Sparky corner forward Fergal Healy has been nominated along with the re-emergent Finbarr Gantley at half back. Their defence has acquired a good reputation, with full back Brian Feeney unlucky to have been overlooked, presumably for his one admittedly costly mistake against DJ Carey in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Tipperary, after a strong league and revitalised championship performance, weigh in with seven All-Star contenders. John Carroll won many admirers for his polished wingback play, Johnny Leahy had his sublime moments and was shaping up for a vintage year when injury caught him early in the second half of the quarter-final against Galway. Sharp-shooter Thomas Dunne, an All Star recipient last year, has again made the nominations.
One of the more heartening nominations is Kieran McKeever among the forwards. He has won a nomination in the backs for the footballers, but his choice among the hurling nominations gives due credit to Derry for their excellent display in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Offaly.
Ten of last year's All Star team are in the running for consecutive honours while Clare have failed to receive any nominations.
This year's team will be announced live on Network Two at the Eircell All-Star gala banquet on Friday, December 1st. The football awards will be announced at a press conference the day before that ceremony.
