GPA Hurling team announced

The official Opel Gaelic Team of the Year for Hurling for 2008 has been announced by the Gaelic Players Association.

The team reflects the most successful counties in this year’s championship, with 15 players hailing from four different counties; Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Cork.

All-Ireland champions Kilkenny have nine representatives – Michael Kavanagh, Noel Hickey, Jackie Tyrell, Tommy Walsh, JJ Delaney, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Henry Shefflin, Eoin Larkin and Eddie Brennan.

Losing All-Ireland finalists Waterford have two players included – Eoin Kelly and John Mullane. The remaining places on the 2008 team are filled by Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins, Conor O’Mahony and Shane McGrath, and Cork’s Ben O’Connor.

Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the Hurling Selection Committee, Donal O'Grady, said: '2008 was another good year for hurling and I salute all involved. As a committee we feel that the three most deserving nominees were picked for each position on the Opel Hurling Team of the Year.

'I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the recipients on this year’s team. To be honoured by your peers is the one of the highest accolades available in hurling.'

Opel Gaelic Hurling Team of the Year 2008

1. B Cummins (Tipperary)

2. M Kavanagh (Kilkenny)
3. N Hickey (Kilkenny)
4. J Tyrell (Kilkenny)

5. T Walsh (Kilkenny)
6. C O’Mahony (Tipperary)
7. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)

8. S McGrath (Tipperary)
9. J Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny)

10. B O’Connor (Cork)
11. H Shefflin (Kilkenny)
12. E Larkin (Kilkenny)

13. E Brennan (Kilkenny)
14. E Kelly (Waterford)
15. J Mullane (Waterford)