Anthony Daly and Liam Sheedy pick the best hurlers of the 2022 Allianz Hurling League campaign where Waterford dominate selection in a team representing four different counties.
A total of eight Deise players from their league winning side make the cut, along with three each from Cork and Kilkenny, with a single Wexford representative in the team.
The panel give special mention to Wexford trio Matthew O’Hanlon, Paudie Foley, Dee O’Keeffe, Dublin pair Danny Sutcliffe and Paddy Smyth, as well as Galway's Tom Monaghan and Robbie Glennon, who could all consider themselves unlucky to miss out.
Here is the team they settled on.
1 Shaun O'Brien (Waterford)
Anthony Daly: There was a lot of talk in Waterford that Stephen O’Keeffe should be back after the Ballygunner exploits, but Sean has done really well and settled in well, playing great stuff.
2 Conor Gleeson (Waterford)
Anthony Daly: Cork’s Shane Kingston tested him in the second half of the league final, but he’s been their go-to man-marker.
3 Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny)
Anthony Daly: There are a raft of great full-backs around at the moment this guy has been top dog so far this year.
4 Mikey Butler (Kilkenny)
Anthony Daly: What a find he has been for Brian Cody. He’s been brilliant, man-marking some of the best forwards in the country and has come up with the goods in all the games.
5 Jack Fagan (Waterford)
Liam Sheedy: It was a great move by Liam Cahill to move him to the half-back line. Very effective throughout the league campaign, particularly in the final
6 Tadhg de Burca (Waterford)
Liam Sheedy: He orchestrates everything from Number 6; he minds the house but he also drives forward at every opportunity.
7 Ciaran Joyce (Cork)
Liam Sheedy: A young guy, from the Under-20s, and I think he has really come of age in the league.
8 Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)
Liam Sheedy: Scored 2-14 from play, but probably didn’t have his best evening in the final against Waterford.
9 Carthach Daly (Waterford)
Liam Sheedy: His performance in the final was a joy to watch. For such a young guy, he had no inhibitions out on the pitch at Semple Stadium.
10 Robbie O’Flynn (Cork)
Anthony Daly: A consistent campaign, was a thorn in the side for most opposing teams. Delivered 1-3 in the final when Cork weren’t going that well.
11 Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny)
Anthony Daly: What can you say about him? Moved up from wing-back, can play anywhere and score points from all angles.
12 Austin Gleeson (Waterford)
Anthony Daly: You couldn’t leave him out of the team. He’ll be very disappointed with the last turn of events, but he has been brilliant. Even in the semi-final where he was sent-off, he scored 2-3 from play.
13 Rory O’Connor (Wexford)
Liam Sheedy: He picks himself. 3-18 from play, he’s just unmarkable on his day. Looks set for a really good season.
14 Stephen Bennett (Waterford)
Liam Sheedy: Probably the player of the league, he finished with 8-51, an incredible total and a brilliant campaign.
15 Jack Prendergast (Waterford)
Liam Sheedy: He got three points in the final against Cork and is everywhere on the pitch.
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