GAA Features

As the year draws to a close, it can be hard to remember just how good some of the hurling was this summer. Here’s JOE’s top five scores of the year in hurling.

5. David Burke, Galway v Cork, Qualifiers Phase 3

No disrespect to David but this is all about the pass beforehand from the inimitable Joe Canning. Galway had yet another disappointing year, ending in the departure of manager John McIntyre, but the Portumna man kept up his end, scoring 3-31 in the Championship. And while he scored a tasty goal against Clare, his no-look handpass to David Burke at the Gaelic Grounds was the individual piece of skill of the year.

Burke’s finish wasn’t bad, and Cork were out on their feet at that point, but Canning’s touch of class was one the moments of the year.

4. Richie Hogan, Kilkenny v Tipperary, All-Ireland Final

To say Kilkenny were determined to win back Liam McCarthy this year is a bit like saying Ireland owe a few quid. The Cats were terrifying in their intensity and their second goal against Tipp embodied their will to right what they saw as the wrong of losing last year.

On 50 minutes, with the game still in the balance, Tipp had a goal chance blocked. Then from their own goalline Kilkenny worked the ball upfield before a rampaging Eddie Brennan run set up Richie Hogan and he rasped the ball past Brendan Cummins. Clinical, incisive and very Kilkenny.

And here's a slow-mo replay. If ever a score needed a slow-mo replay, this one does.

3. Gavin O’Brien, Waterford v Dublin, Minor All-Ireland semi-final

This year’s minor hurling championship was fantastic, with some truly epic games. But it was during the 11-goal madness of Dublin beating Waterford in the semi-final that we got one of the goals of the year.

A long ball into the Waterford half-forward’s was picked up by Gavin O’Brien and he fired home (link to TG4) an unstoppable shot right into the top corner from 25 metres. A stunning finish in a stunning game.

2. Eoin Kelly, Tipperary v Cork, Munster quarter-final

Another great year for the Tipp man but his season highlight came in the opening game. For the grab, and then the strength to shrug off Shane O’Neill and Brian Murphy before rifling a perfect low shot to the net. Simply class.

1. Aidan Walsh, Cork v Tipperary, Munster U21 semi-final

The score of the year goes to Aidan Walsh for an unreal point in the U21 Championship.

The Munster final against Limerick was proof positive, if it was needed, that hurling is the world's greatest game. Limerick won after extra-time but it was the equalising point in normal time, with virtually the last puck of the ball, from not the next parish but the one beyond that, that was the highlight of the game, and the best score we saw all year.

Last year's Young Footballer of the Year clearly has the knack of this aul' hurling stuff too. He also scored one of the year's best goals against Tipperary in the Munster U21 semi-final. You can watch that one over on the TG4 site but no score this year came close to this one.