Despite a tough campaign that ended in defeat at the All-Ireland semi-final stage, Kilkenny still earned notable recognition with four nominations for the prestigious PwC Hurling All-Stars.
In defense, Huw Lawlor and David Blanchfield have been named among the top defenders in the country. In midfield, Cian Kenny was acknowledged , while in the forward line, John Donnelly was recognized for his influential role in Kilkenny’s attack.
All Ireland champions Clare dominate this year’s list of nominees for the PWC GAA/GPA Hurling All Stars with 14. Of the team that started this year’s All Ireland final, only Cathal Malone misses out on the shortlist. Beaten finalists Cork have ten players on the shortlist. Limerick have nine
PwC Hurling All-Stars Kilkenny Nominations:
- Huw Lawlor (Defender)
- David Blanchfield (Defender)
- Cian Kenny (Midfielder)
- John Donnelly (Forward)
The announcement comes alongside the shortlist for Hurler of the Year, where Clare’s Shane O’Donnell, Cork’s Darragh Fitzgibbon, and Limerick’s Kyle Hayes will battle for the top honor.
Meanwhile, Clare’s Adam Hogan headlines the Young Hurler of the Year nominees, alongside Cork’s Eoin Downey and Limerick’s Cathal O’Neill.
PwC Hurling All-Stars Nominations
Goalkeepers
Patrick Collins (Cork)
Nickie Quaid (Limerick)
Eibhear Quilligan (Clare)
Defenders
Adam Hogan (Clare)
Conor Cleary (Clare)
Conor Leen (Clare)
Diarmuid Ryan (Clare)
John Conlon (Clare)
David McInerney (Clare)
Eoin Downey (Cork)
Robert Downey (Cork)
Ciarán Joyce (Cork)
Dan Morrissey (Limerick)
Kyle Hayes (Limerick)
Barry Nash (Limerick)
Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny)
David Blanchfield (Kilkenny)
Calum Lyons (Waterford)
Tadhg de Búrca (Waterford)
Chris Crummey (Dublin)
Paddy Burke (Antrim)
Midfielders
Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)
Tim O’Mahony (Cork)
Tony Kelly (Clare)
Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)
Conor Burke (Dublin)
Cian Kenny (Kilkenny)
Forwards
Shane O’Donnell (Clare)
Mark Rodgers (Clare)
Aidan McCarthy (Clare)
Peter Duggan (Clare)
David Fitzgerald (Clare)
David Reidy (Clare)
Shane Barrett (Cork)
Seamus Harnedy (Cork)
Patrick Horgan (Cork)
Brian Hayes (Cork)
Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick)
Tom Morrissey (Limerick)
Aaron Gillane (Limerick)
David Reidy (Limerick)
Lee Chin (Wexford)
Rory O’Connor (Wexford)
John Donnelly (Kilkenny)
James McNaughton (Antrim)