The GAA All-Ireland hurling final is upon us and a quality-rich championship that delivered high after high has been whittled down to the best two teams: Limerick and Kilkenny. With the top dogs once again in the final and the underdogs gone for another Summer, it would be easy to think this was a two-horse race all along.
However, here at Balls.ie we've picked our 2023 best Hurling XV from outside Limerick and Kilkenny and it's a serious side that could've spoiled the party in an All-Ireland final. For what it's worth, we've selected from players in the Liam MacCarthy championship
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Clare)
Quilligan really came into his own in the past two seasons, delivering scarcely believable saves for the Banner County. He may be short on senior medals, but the Feakle man is a U21 All-Ireland and Munster champion and a minor Munster champion as well. Despite not getting the nod early on against Tipperary, Quilligan proved his value to Clare and was insane against Kilkenny in the semi-final.
Billy Ryan scores a point for Kilkenny following a remarkable save from Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan.
📱Updates - https://t.co/rq5DgvHhgv
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📻 Radio - https://t.co/nwPymxTgze pic.twitter.com/KWLFnHgovs— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 2, 2022
2. Cathal Barrett (Tipperary)
A no-brainer Barrett is one of the best backs in the game. A traditional defender - Barrett puts his body on the line at every possible opportunity and even a nasty head injury during Tipperary's draw with Limerick did little to slow him down, with medics eventually having to haul him off the pitch.
Cathal Barrett - he was falling, falling, falling! Outrageously good defending with a possible goal on! pic.twitter.com/4KG8pl076s
— Michael Verney (@mlverney) May 22, 2023
3. Robert Downey (Cork)
The Glen Rovers man was one of the best hurlers not in the All-Ireland Championship. With a Munster minor title and Fitzgibbon cup to his name the Glen Rovers man is one of the best Full-Backs in the game. Really stood out for Cork v Waterford.
HT: COR 0-15 WAT 0-06
A super Robert Downey point emphasises Cork’s dominance in the first half as they lead Waterford by nine points at the break.
📺 https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY
📱 https://t.co/VdyllwFUGv
📻 https://t.co/2SRRKdgjzu pic.twitter.com/eBAET6Ov46— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 30, 2023
4. Mark Fitzgerald (Waterford)
It was a Championship to forget for Waterford, but the Passage defender was the standout Déise performer of the summer.
30 April 2023; Mark Fitzgerald of Waterford during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 2 match between Cork and Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Clare)
Arguably the standout player in the magnificent Clare half back line.. He was June's hurler of the month and this point shows exactly why.
Diarmuid Ryan adds to Clare's lead with a superb point from a difficult angle. pic.twitter.com/pfkgC4yPG7
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 11, 2023
6. John Conlon (Clare)
Clare are the only team to beat Limerick this year and John Conlon - on his brother's wedding night - played a huge role in securing the famous win in the Gaelic Grounds.
You've got to love the GAA - Clare and Limerick produce a game like that - John Conlon gets Man of the Match - just hours after watching his brother get married! #Hurling #Clare #GAA #GAAGo
🎥 @GAAGo pic.twitter.com/vyaSEttntw— Cóilín Duffy (@coilinduffy) April 29, 2023
7. David McInerney (Clare)
A true veteran of the game, McInerney was there when Clare won their last Liam McCarthy in 2013 and he's still going strong. McInerney's influence was untold in Clare's phenomenal Championship run this season.
David McInerney with a long-range score for @GaaClare pic.twitter.com/jypd3nBcJz
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 24, 2021
8. Noel McGrath (Tipperary)
An obvious choice, McGrath is and until he retires will be one of the country's top hurlers. He's been an inter-county hurler for 13 years, has three All-Ireland's and was man of the match in the 2019 All-Ireland final. Need we say anymore?
12 February 2023; Noel McGrath of Tipperary handpasses under pressure from Killian Doyle of Kilkenny during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group B match between Kilkenny and Tipperary at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
9. Cathal Malone (Clare)
Another Clare man, Malone was excellent for Clare's defence this year and was absolutely pivotal in Clare's devastating transition from defence to attack. Malone would slide into most inter-county teams in the country.
Cathal Malone scores Clare's second goal of the game with a lovely first-time finish.
Watch the game live on https://t.co/C7FxP1q5Ku pic.twitter.com/nCoTrDbjjp— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 13, 2023
10. Cathal Mannion (Galway)
Few players stood out for Galway this season but Mannion was certainly one of them. It was a tough year for the Tribesmen and despite Mannion already having a Celtic Cross he gave everything for Henry Shefflin, with some amazing scores along the way.
This was a brilliant team goal from Galway finished off by Cathal Mannion 🔥pic.twitter.com/YjZv0FDVJ7
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 8, 2023
11. Tony Kelly (Clare)
Kelly needs no introduction. One of the best hurlers in the country, Period. Whenever Clare needed a big play this season they looked to Kelly and he delivered, he's without a doubt one of the most skilful hurlers of his generation and this goal shows why.
Clare take the lead once again with a great goal by Tony Kelly. pic.twitter.com/xv0ejFaRCz
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 21, 2023
12. Donal Burke (Dublin)
The sole Dub in our side, Burke is a phenomenal hurler. Despite Dublin's hurling misfortunes in the last decade, Burke has been a constant star for the side with every single opponent giving Burke the respect he deserves despite the often large gap in quality between the sides.
Sensational score from Donal Burke tonight - basically from the North Strand Road!pic.twitter.com/mtkygQTuZJ
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 6, 2023
13. Jake Morris (Tipperary)
Morris is a goal-scoring machine, if ever a team needed a last-minute goal, only ask and Morris shall deliver. He got a hattrick in Tipperary's defeat of Waterford in the NHL and came up with a high-stakes goal against Cork that ended up keeping Tipperary in the Championship.
Jake Morris with a match winning goal for Tipperary! pic.twitter.com/KIJonrcA7o
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 23, 2019
14. Shane O'Donnell (Clare)
O'Donnell gave an aerial masterclass in Croke Park when Clare agonisingly lost to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final. He was utterly dominant in that game and was one of Clare's top players week in week out this season, with his touch second to none.
An-chúl go deo anseo ó Shane O'Donnell do @GaaClare ar an deireadh seachtaine a bhuíochas le #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/6F5ygQX1P5
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 12, 2023
15. Conor Whelan (Galway)
A foot in for an All-Star this year, Whelan is one of those players who seems to be getting better with age. He made his inter-county debut in 2015 and won his only All-Ireland in 2017 as well as the young player of the Year award that season. Whelan was overwhelming in an underwhelming season for Galway.
8 July 2023; Conor Whelan of Galway in action against Tom Morrissey of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Limerick and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
SEE ALSO: The Best Hurling XV Playing In The USA This Summer
