By Seamus Leonard
1 Brian Murray (Limerick)
2 Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny) 4 Jackie Tyrell (Kilkenny)
3 Declan Fanning (Tipperary)
5 Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) 7 Tony Browne (Waterford)
6 Ken McGrath (Waterford)
8 Michael Walsh (Waterford) 9 James Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny)
10 Dan Shanahan (Waterford) 12 Stephen Molumphy (W'ford)
11 Ollie Moran (Limerick)
13 Andrew O'Shaughnessy (Limerick) 15 Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny)
14 Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)
1 Brian Murray (Limerick)
There was a changing of the guard this year for netminders, with Davy Fitzgerald, Brendan Cummins and James McGarry losing their grip on the number one jerseys in Clare, Tipperary and Kilkenny respectively. It is quite strange to see a goalkeeper who has conceded 13 goals in a Championship campaign get rewarded, but that statistic does not account for the number of games Murray played in (seven) and the epic nature of a lot of those clashes. The Cats' PJ Ryan and Wexford's Damien Fitzhenry would also have been worthy recipients. However, few will begrudge the Patrickswell clubman, who only made his Championship debut in 2006, his first All Star.
2 Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny)
He has been around so long it is hard to believe the St Lachtain's clubman is only 28. This is a third All Star award for the dependable corner-back, which he can add to his five All-Ireland and eight Leinster senior medals. The conveyor belt of talent produced by the Noresiders always seems to put Kavanagh among the first in line to lose his place to a younger model. The fact that he is still in Brian Cody's first XV shows both the manager's belief in him and the determination of the player himself.
3 Declan Fanning (Tipperary)
The Premier County's sole representative on this year's team, Fanning is rewarded for his performances in keeping Limerick's Brian Begley in check in the three-game Munster semi-final saga. A surprise inclusion, the Killenaule man has comfortably replaced former All Star Philip Maher at the edge of the Tipp square, which is no mean feat in itself. However, the way the Tipp defence succumbed to Wexford in the All-Ireland quarter-final will leave many asking why Kilkenny's Noel Hickey or Limerick's Stephen Lucey did not get the nod.
4 Jackie Tyrell (Kilkenny)
In truth, this position was a straight shoot-out between James Stephens clubman Tyrell and Limerick's Seamus Hickey. In the toss-up, the captain of the 2006 All-Ireland-winning Kilkenny team came away with his first All Star award and Hickey is compensated with the Young Player of the Year award. The former U-21 All-Ireland winning captain now has two All-Ireland and three Leinster medals at senior level.
5 Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) 
If they ever need a face to go with the word 'versatile', Tommy Walsh's mugshot would fit the bill nicely. This is the Tullaroan star's fifth consecutive All Star award and amazingly each one has come in a different position. He is named at right half-back this year, but has previously received the honour at midfield, corner-back, half-forward and left half-back. The 24-year-old is now the proud owner of three All-Ireland and four Leinster medals. Even by this present Kilkenny's side's standards he is an exceptional talent.
6 Ken McGrath (Waterford)
Many hurling fans would wish Waterford a Liam McCarthy triumph just to see this warrior rewarded for his unbelievable contribution to the game over the last decade. Like the man to his right in the All Star line-up, McGrath is a master of all trades having collected previous awards in different positions - left half-forward (2002) and midfield (2004). His accuracy from dead balls in the All-Ireland semi-final against Limerick let him down, but you will struggle to find any of the Deise faithful pointing the finger at the Mount Sion man for the latest tale of Championship woe. A National League, a Munster title and a third All Star will bring little comfort to one of the game's legends.
7 Tony Browne (Waterford)
Waterford's half-back line was superb throughout the summer and it is only fitting that two of its three members pick up All Stars. History will probably remember Tony Browne best for his dynamic midfield displays at the end of the last decade and the beginning of this one. His performances in The Deise's breakthrough year of 1998 earned him the Hurler of the Year award. The Mount Sion man collected his third Munster senior medal this year to add to the National League title won with a brilliant win over Kilkenny in the spring.
8 Michael Walsh (Waterford)
Michael 'Brick' Walsh wrote himself into the annals of Waterford hurling when he lifted the National Hurling League trophy earlier this year. It was the first time in 44 years that the county had experienced success at that level. His energy and workrate were vital components to Waterford's league and Championship campaigns, with the odd spectacular catch thrown in for good measure. This year's Munster title win was the Stradbally dual star's second, and he is another one of the seven first-time All Star winners. He also helped Waterford IT to three Fitzgibbon Cup victories.
9 James Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny)
The Ballyhale Shamrocks star's second consecutive All Star award will give him some comfort as he recovers from two broken bones in a foot. The injuries came in a recent club match for Shamrocks, who claimed the All-Ireland Club title on St Patrick's Day. It has been a meteoric rise for 22-year-old 'Cha'. He already has two All-Ireland medals at minor, U-21 and senior level and was the Vodafone Young Player of the Year last year.
10 Dan Shanahan (Waterford) 
Despite exiting the Championship at the semi-final stage, this was Shanahan's year. The Lismore man seemed impossible to stop once he got in his stride and his stunning hat-trick of goals against Limerick will live long in the memory. His height, strength and clinical finishing made him virtually impossible to stop. The Player of the Year award will soften the blow somewhat, but 2007 seems destined to become the year that saw the best chance of All-Ireland success pass Dan & Co by.
11 Ollie Moran (Limerick)
A couple of weeks shy of 32 and ten years on the Championship trail, Ollie Moran finally makes his unassuming way into the All Star line-up. Better known (and some said better used) as a half-back, centre-forward Moran was the catalyst for the Treatymen's revival this year. Every time his side looked in trouble in the three games with Tipperary, the Ahane ace came up trumps, contributing some incredible scores and providing invaluable leadership. He did not have the best of Munster finals against Waterford, but his display in the All-Ireland semi-final against the same opposition was another from the top drawer.
12 Stephen Molumphy (Waterford)
It was an amazing debut season for the man from Ballyduff Upper, which included NHL and Munster Championship wins. When Cork were asking serious questions in the All-Ireland quarter-final replay, Stephen Molumphy came to the fore and turned in a Man of the Match performance. Kilkenny's Martin Comerford and Eoin Larkin have the right to feel a little aggrieved by their respective omissions, but Molumphy was involved in more high-octane affairs and probably benefited from the more difficult course his county had to plot.
13 Andrew O'Shaughnessy (Limerick)
Limerick's teenage prodigy has finally come of age. We have waited nigh on six years for it to come, but this summer we finally saw the best of Andrew O'Shaughnessy. The standout moment was in the first replay with Tipp. Limerick were one point down in the dying seconds of extra-time when they won a '65'. Under intense pressure, 'Shaughs' slotted it between the posts. That confidence-boosting score set up the Treatymen's memorable summer, allowing us to learn that not only is the Kilmallock clubman an ace marksman, but he is one hell of a workhorse too.
14 Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)
Is there anything to be said that has not already been said about this man? A living legend, he has won all there is to win – in most cases more than once. Strangely enough, 'King Henry' did not have as prominent a campaign as usual this year. However, he was once again the man for the big occasion when his early goal set the Cats on their way to a relatively comfortable All-Ireland final win over Limerick. The Ballyhale Shamrocks man did not return for the second half of the decider after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage. This is his seventh All Star, and a record sixth successive award. If he can overcome his current injury, there is nothing to stop him threatening DJ Carey and Pat Spillane's record of nine All Star selections.
15 Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny)
Following his Man of the Match performance for the Cats in this year's All-Ireland Hurling final, it's no surprise that 'Fast Eddie' has been awarded the third All Star of his career and his second in a row. The Graigue-Ballycallan man set Kilkenny on their way against Limerick when he stunned them with an early goal and notched up an impressive personal tally of 1-05 on the day. Over the course of this year's Leinster and All-Ireland campaigns, Brennan has put away some vital scores, particularly in the quarter-final win over Galway, and has thrilled supporters with his electric pace and innate ability to find the back of the net.
Click here for pen pics for the Vodafone Football All Stars.
