Cork’s Gleeful Glory: Five Hurling All-Star Selections
Ah, Cork! The county that can turn a simple hurling match into a high-stakes drama worthy of a soap opera. This year, the Rebel County has announced a whopping five hurling team selections at the PwC GAA/GPA Hurling All-Star Awards. That’s right, five! Or, as I like to call it, Cork’s way of saying, “We’re back, baby!”
This is Cork’s biggest haul since 2005 — the last year the Rebels pounced on the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title. The illustrious list includes Eoin Downey, his brother Robert (now the new captain… So, family dinner conversations just got interesting), Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, and Séamus Harnedy, the man who must have a shrine dedicated to the All-Stars at home by now, given that this marks his third pick.
And let’s take a moment for what this means: the Downeys are the fourth set of brothers from Cork to snag All-Stars. Apparently, it runs in the family — much like awkward family gatherings where someone inevitably brings up that one embarrassing incident from the past. I’m looking at you, Tom and Jim Cashman, Seán Óg and Setanta Ó hAilpín, and Ben and Jerry O’Connor. Yes, I went there — don’t pretend you weren’t thinking about ice cream!
Of course, by “snagging All-Stars,” I mean they’ve earned their place among the elite. Alongside our brave quintet from Cork, All-Ireland champions Clare have managed to muscle in with six players on the team, while Limerick lingers with four. It’s like an inter-county hurling party, and you just know there are some awkward seating arrangements happening there. This record-breaking selection marks the first time the entire All-Star team is composed of players from a single province. I guess it’s true what they say: you really can’t spell ‘teamwork’ without ‘Cork’… or, you know, just ‘C’.
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the selections. Limerick’s goalkeeper Nickie Quaid has managed to gather his third All-Star — clearly he’s taken “keeping” to a whole new level. We’ve got Eoin Downey at full-back, flanked by Clare’s Adam Hogan and Dan Morrissey from Limerick – both of whom are no strangers to accolades. Ever been to a family dinner where three siblings are constantly upstaging each other? Yeah, it’s like that.
The half-back line sees yet another Downey anchoring the action, complemented by David McInerney from Clare and Kyle Hayes of Limerick, who’s making his fifth All-Star appearance. It’s becoming more common than your parents asking when you’re settling down. Midfield features Fitzgibbon, joining forces with Clare’s Tony Kelly, who won the man of the match award for the All-Ireland final – no pressure, right?
The half-forward line is where the magic happens, with two Cork lads—Shane Barrett at centre-forward and Harnedy on the wing. They’re joined by Clare’s David Fitzgerald, who is probably trying to figure out how to outshine the other two while figuring out what to get them for Christmas. Classic ‘three’s company’ vibes, right?
Now don’t even get me started on the full-forward line. Gearóid Hegarty of Limerick has somehow bypassed expectations to land the spot, despite usually working his magic at half-forward. It’s like switching someone’s drink order at the bar and hoping they don’t notice. Meanwhile, Shane O’Donnell from Clare also steps up for his third selection, while newcomer Mark Rodgers adds a sneaky debut to the mix. Welcome to the club, mate — enjoy the ride!
For Cork fans, there were still a few hopefuls left out of the final line-up, including the venerable goalkeeper Patrick Horgan, and defenders Ciarán Joyce and Tim O’Mahony, who I’m sure are all practicing for next year with some newfound grit and determination. They could even start a club: “Cork’s Almost-But-Not-Quite Club. Members: Everyone.”
Nickie Quaid (Limerick); Adam Hogan (Clare), Eoin Downey (Cork), Dan Morrissey (Limerick); David McInerney (Clare), Robert Downey (Cork), Kyle Hayes (Limerick); Tony Kelly (Clare), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork); David Fitzgerald (Clare), Shane Barrett (Cork), Séamus Harnedy (Cork); Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick), Shane O’Donnell (Clare), Mark Rodgers (Clare).
So here’s to Cork and all the laughter, tears, and hurling glory they bring us. Keep flinging those sticks, lads, and who knows? Maybe next year, they’ll haul in five more selections! Or at the very least, some good stories for the pub.
Cork GAA has celebrated a significant achievement, securing five prestigious selections for the PwC GAA/GPA Hurling All-Star Awards, a testament to the county’s hurling prowess.
This remarkable recognition marks Cork’s largest collection of All-Stars since 2005, the year they last clinched the coveted All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title. The distinguished players bestowed with this honor include Eoin Downey, his brother and the newly appointed Cork captain Robert Downey, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, and the seasoned Séamus Harnedy.
Séamus Harnedy has now reached an impressive milestone, earning his third All-Star selection, previously being recognized in both 2013 and 2018. Darragh Fitzgibbon also received the accolade in 2018, while the remaining three awardees celebrate their inaugural recognition.
With this accolade, the Downey brothers join an elite group, becoming the fourth set of siblings from Cork to secure All-Star honors, following the notable legacies of Tom and Jim Cashman, Seán Óg and Setanta Ó hAilpín, and Ben and Jerry O’Connor. For context, the Ó hAilpíns played together on the same All-Star team back in 2003, while the O’Connors both received selections in 2005.
In a historic twist, along with the Cork players, All-Ireland champions Clare boast six representatives on the All-Star team, with Limerick contributing four; this marks the first occasion where an entire All-Star selection is composed solely of players from one province.
Limerick’s standout goalkeeper Nickie Quaid celebrates his third All-Star award, while Eoin Downey takes his place as full-back, flanked by Clare’s Adam Hogan and Limerick’s own Dan Morrissey, who has been acknowledged for the fourth time.
The half-back line sees one of the Downey brothers anchoring the defense, accompanied by Clare’s David McInerney, who is celebrating his second All-Star recognition, and the dynamic Kyle Hayes of Limerick, now securing his fifth award. Darragh Fitzgibbon is positioned in midfield alongside Clare’s Tony Kelly, who, despite his outstanding performance in the All-Ireland final, had not started any championship game in Munster due to injury. The Ballyea man has now accumulated five All-Star awards.
Two Cork players proudly represent the county in the half-forward line, with Shane Barrett taking center-forward and Séamus Harnedy occupying the wing, joined by Clare’s David Fitzgerald, who earned a well-deserved second All-Star selection following a stellar season.
The full-forward division features only one Cork player, with Patrick Horgan and Brian Hayes among those shortlisted. Surprisingly, Gearóid Hegarty from Limerick has been selected in a forward position, despite typically playing at half-forward, marking his fourth award. Shane O’Donnell from Clare earns his third selection, further cementing his status in the sport.
O’Donnell’s outstanding performance has also earned him the Hurler of the Year award, alongside nominations for Darragh Fitzgibbon and Kyle Hayes. Additionally, his Clare teammate Mark Rodgers is receiving All-Star recognition for the first time in his career.
Other notable nominees from Cork include goalkeeper Patrick Horgan, defender Ciarán Joyce, midfielder Tim O’Mahony, and attackers Hayes and Horgan, showcasing the depth of talent in the squad.
Nickie Quaid (Limerick); Adam Hogan (Clare), Eoin Downey (Cork), Dan Morrissey (Limerick); David McInerney (Clare), Robert Downey (Cork), Kyle Hayes (Limerick); Tony Kelly (Clare), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork); David Fitzgerald (Clare), Shane Barrett (Cork), Séamus Harnedy (Cork); Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick), Shane O’Donnell (Clare), Mark Rodgers (Clare).
