No major surprises as Kilkenny and Tipp dominate Hurling All-Star selections

24 out of the 45 nominees come from the sides that contested two brilliant All-Ireland Hurling finals last month.

As you’d expect, Kilkenny come out on top with 13 nominations in total and are represented in every line of the field, including in midfield and the half-forward line where Hurler of the Year nominees Richie Hogan and TJ Reid appear shoo-ins for selection. Defeated finalists Tipp are next with 11 and also have a Hurler of the Year nominee in sharp-shooting full-forward Seamus Callanan, while semi-finalists Limerick and Cork have seven and six nominations respectively. Wexford’s fine season before the comprehensive defeat to Limerick is reflected in three nominations, Dublin have two and Clare, Offaly and Galway have one nomination apiece, while Tipp’s Cathal Barrett, Wexford’s Conor McDonald and Limerick’s Shane Dowling will battle it out for the Young Hurler of the Year gong.

2014 GAA/GPA Hurling All-Star nominations

Goalkeeper

Darren Gleeson (Tipperary), Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny), Alan Nolan (Dublin)

Full-backs

Chris Barrett (Tipperary), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), Seamus Hickey (Limerick), Richie McCarthy (Limerick), Stephen McDonnell (Cork), Paul Murphy (Kilkenny), Paddy Stapleton (Tipperary), Liam Ryan (Wexford), Jackie Tyrell (Kilkenny)

Half-backs

Kieran Bergin (Tipperary), Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny), Mark Ellis (Cork), Brendan Maher (Tipperary), Padraig Maher (Tipperary), Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny), Liam Rushe (Dublin), Lorcan McLoughlin (Cork), Wayne McNamara (Limerick)

Midfielders

Paul Browne (Limerick), Lee Chin (Wexford), Conor Fogarty (Kilkenny), Richie Hogan (Kilkenny), James Ryan (Limerick), Shane McGrath (Tipperary)

Half-forwards

Conor Lehane (Cork), Patrick Maher (Tipperary), John O’Dwyer (Tipperary), Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), TJ Reid (Kilkenny), Noel McGrath (Tipperary), Declan Hannon (Limerick), Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny), Conor Cooney (Galway)

Full-forwards

Colin Fennelly (Kilkenny), Alan Cadogan (Cork), Seamus Callanan (Tipperary), Shane Dowling (Limerick), Patrick Horgan (Cork), Conor McDonald (Wexford), Richie Power (Kilkenny), Conor McGrath (Clare), Brian Carroll (Offaly)