All Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny have scooped eight Vodafone GAA All Star hurling awards. Four of the Kilkenny players honoured also received All Star awards last year - Michael Kavanagh, Derek Lyng, Henry Shefflin and Martin Comerford.
The beaten All-Ireland finalists Cork have four representatives on the selection, while Tipperary, Waterford and Galway have one representative each.
Seven players receive their first award - Sean Og O'hAilpin (Cork), Ronan Curran (Cork), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), John Mullane (Waterford), Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny) and Setanta O'hAilpin (Cork).
The O'hAilpin brothers of Cork, Sean Og and Setanta, continue a growing tradition of brothers gaining awards in the same year and follow the Kelly brothers of Tipperary who were honoured last year. Sean Og wins his first award at right half back and Setanta caps a wonderful debut year by gaining an All Star at right corner forward.
The annual selection was announced today and the awards will be presented at the City West Hotel, Dublin, on Friday night when the All Star football selection will be announced live on television.
The Vodafone GAA All Star Hurling selection for 2003 is:
1. Brendan Cummins (Tipperary) 2. Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny)
3. Noel Hickey (Kilkenny) 4. Ollie Canning (Galway)
5. Sean Og O'hAilpin (Cork) 6. Ronan Curran (Cork)
7. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny) 8. Derek Lyng (Kilkenny)
9. Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) 10. John Mullane (Waterford)
11. Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) 12. Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny)
13. Setanta O'hAilpin (Cork) 14. Martin Comerford (Kilkenny)
15. Joe Deane (Cork)
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
