The nominations for the 2000 Eircell Hurling All Stars have been announced and, unsurprisingly, the majority of the nominations come from Kilkenny. The All-Ireland champions have 14 of their players nominated, while Offaly, the beaten finalists, have only 5 players nominated. Galway, however, received an impressive 10 nominations following their march to the semis, which ended in defeat to eventual winners, Kilkenny.
Kilkenny’s wing forward, John Hoyne, is the only Cats player to lose out on a nomination, while DJ Carey is in line to win his eight All Star. With 10 All Star contenders, Galway are rewarded with their impressive performances throughout the season, particularly with their win over Tipperary in the quarter-final. Tipperary weigh in with 7 All Star nominations and Cork have 6. Limerick and Waterford both have 1 player nominated while, former All-Ireland hurling champions, Clare and Wexford, have no player nominated. The final team will be announced on December 1st.
The list of nominees are as follows: Goalkeepers: Michael Crimmins (Galway), James McGarry (Kilkenny), Brendan Cummins (Tipperary).
Defenders: Brian Corcoran, Sean Óg Ó hAilpín, Diarmuid O'Suillivan, Fergal Ryan (all Cork), Finbarr Gantley, Liam Hodgins, Cathal Moore (all Galway), Peter Barry, Noel Hickey, Michael Kavanagh, Eamonn Kennedy, Philip Larkin, Willie O'Connor (all Kilkenny), Mark Foley (Limerick), Simon Whelanhan (Offaly), John Carroll, Eamonn Corcoran, Philip Maher (all Tipperary).
Midfielders: Rory Gantley (Galway), Andy Comerford, Brian McEvoy (both Kilkenny), Johnny Dooley (Offaly), Thomas Dunne, John Leahy (both Tipperary).
Forwards: Joe Deane, Seanie McGrath (both Cork), Kiernan McKeever (Derry), Eugene Cloonan, Ollie Fahy, Fergal Healy, Alan Kerins, Joe Rabbitte (all Galway), Denis Byrne, Charlie Carter, DJ Carey, John Power, Henry Shefflin (all Kilkenny), Michael Duignan, Gary Hanniffy, Johnny Pilkington (all Offaly), Brian O'Mara (Tipperary), Ken McGrath (Waterford).
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
