Generally speaking, the two All-Ireland finalists tend to dominate any prospective Team of the Year - and rightfully so, we guess.
Well, we here at Balls.ie have decided once more to omit the players of Galway and Waterford and put together our alternative Team of the Year.
Do we think this collection of players could collectively handle either of this year's finalists? Perhaps.
Undoubtedly you will take issue with some of our choices, so, feel free to tell us where we have gotten it tragically wrong.
Goalkeeper:
1. Anthony Nash (Cork)
The goalkeeping choice for the RTÉ panel also, another year without claiming an All-Ireland winners medal isn't likely to stop Nash claiming his third All-Star. Although the four goals he conceded in Cork's semi-final defeat to Waterford will have hurt the Kanturk man, his accurate puck outs were intrinsic to Cork's attacking prowess in a Munster Championship winning year.
Full Backs:
2. Liam Ryan (Wexford)
Although better equipped as a full-back, we have decided to push Ryan back out to the corner. Instrumental in halting the seemingly inevitable Kilkenny comeback in Wexford Park back in June, Ryan - still only 22 - will have plenty of time to make such summers as this the new norm for the Yellow-Bellies.
3. Damien Cahalane (Cork)
Pictured below alongside his corner-back Colm Spillane, Cahalane was a sturdy presence at the centre of Cork's defence. As Tony Considine wrote of Cahalane earlier this year, he
was very impressive, guarding his goal very well. He does the right things, with, or without, the ball, which is very important for a full-back. Nothing too flashy but very effective.
4. Colm Spillane (Cork)
Despite being sent off during Cork's Munster semi-final win against Waterford, Spillane's year has been nothing short of incredible. Recovering from a torn cruciate ligament injury, Spillane's championship debut came against Tipperary in the preceding quarter-final. Having tasted success in Munster, Spillane seems desperate to make up for lost time and will be keen to see Cork push on further next year.
Half Backs:
5. Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny)
Usually ineligible on a list such as this, Buckley is our sole representative from Kilkenny, and our only player from a team that didn't make it as far as the quarter-finals. Already in possession of 3 All-Ireland winners' medals, Buckley performed admirably in Kilkenny's largely unfavourable year. He was the driving force for Kilkenny against both Wexford and Waterford, being one of the very few Kilkenny players to emerge with any credit from a terrible season.
6. Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
Desperately unlucky not to have been one of those ineligible for selection also, Paudie Maher continues to excel for Tipperary even as all around him can - on occasion - appears to be crumbling somewhat. Already a four-time all-star, despite Tipperary's struggles this year, the RTÉ panel felt Maher's performance were sufficient for inclusion on their selection this year. He was omnipresent in the second half of the All-Ireland semi final against Galway, almost single handedly keeping Tipp in that game.
7. Mark Coleman (Cork)
One of the stand-out young players in Cork's surprising breakthrough year, Coleman, who won't turn 20 until December, earned himself one notable fan at least for his performances this year.
Gutted..but what has lifted me was watching young Mark Coleman playing natural wing back hurling
— Tony Browne (@TonyBrowne05) June 18, 2017
Midfield:
8. Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
Having captained Tipperary to All-Ireland success 12 months ago, Brendan Maher will not be happy with Tipp's inability to retain the Liam MacCarthy cup...again. One of the stand-out performers in their semi-final defeat to Galway, Maher was as dependable as ever and will hope to take Tipperary back to the final sooner rather than later.
9. Lee Chin (Wexford)
Alongside Galway's Joe Canning and Waterford's Austin Gleeson, the hopes of Wexford hurling were spread largely across his shoulders. Having helped Wexford to their first Leinster final since 2008, their semi-final win over Kilkenny was the year's first notable shock, but, unfortunately for Wexford, their peak also.
Half Forwards:
10. Alan Cadogan (Cork)
WATCH:
Goal @OfficialCorkGAA. A fine finish from @Acadogan15 as he scores the opening goal in the #MunsterFinal. #GAAClips pic.twitter.com/gXsMrF1pTK— eirSport (@eirSport) July 9, 2017
One of Cork's more experienced players despite being just 24, Cadogan again demonstrated his determination to bring Cork back to the heights 'that men like Donal Óg Cusack, Seán Óg O hAilpín, John Gardiner [and] Tom Kenny' scaled almost annually. A faint tie to Cork's more illustrious past, Cadogan's Munster final goal against Clare was signified why he may be able to illuminate them once again.
11. Conor Lehane (Cork)
An early shout for Hurler of the Year after his performances in Cork's run through the Munster Championship, previous doubts about the Midleton man's consistency for Cork had appeared to disappear. Unfortunately, by the time the All-Ireland semi-final came around, Lehane was not the only Cork player who appeared stifled by the remorseless Deise, and a man marking job by Conor Gleeson.
12. Seamus Harnedy (Cork)
A relatively unsung hero as Cork returned from their assumed abyss, Harnedy's physicality and work effort in Cork's half-forward line can tend to go overlooked. Yet, capable of scoring from play and setting up chances for others, the consistency of Harnedy's running this year is not to be overlooked.
Full Forwards:
13. John McGrath (Tipperary)
A breakthrough star in 2016, McGrath stepped up again this year when some of those around him faltered. His performance against Clare in particular in the qualifiers cemented him as a true talisman for Tipperary.
14. Séamus Callanan (Tipperary)
Although 3-11 against Dublin helped his cause, Callanan managed to score 24 more points as Tipperary attempted to retain their All-Ireland title. In their Munster defeat to Cork, Callanan's cross-field pass into the path of John McGrath - who duly finished, and could, by right be on this list - was absolutely pin-point. Watch it back above (6:13 onward).
15. Patrick Horgan (Cork)
Horgan's outstanding year would end in a bizarre dismissal after being hit Waterford's Conor Gleeson in the All-Ireland semi-final, and doing seemingly nothing more than going down. However, up until this moment Horgan had been Mr. Consistency for Cork. Averaging just under 10 points a game, Horgan also had the honour of surpassing Christy Ring's points total for Cork in Championship hurling this year. It was perhaps his finest season for the Rebels from open play, dominating full backs all over the country, and having an absolutely outstanding Munster Final, while being Cork's shining light in a disappointing semi final.
