The most joyful panel in the business picked their team of the year last Sunday. As per usual, the team was jammed by the two All-Ireland finalists, with a couple of Limerick insurgents keeping Richie Power and Jackie Tyrell out of the team.
Having last week picked the football team of the year, excluding players from the big four counties, we decided, this week to pick the hurling team of the year, excluding the two sides who went to war this September.
Goalkeeper: Alan Nolan (Dublin)
In the midst of a downer of a year for the Dubs, Ryan delivered some fine performances, managing to earn Man of the Match in the Leinster Final against Kilkenny and pulling off a spectacular save from Patrick 'Bonner' Maher in the dying seconds of the Tipp match.
Right corner back : Liam Ryan (Wexford)
His cousin Lester, who got closely acquainted with the Liam McCarthy cup in the Hogan Stand on Saturday, marvelled at the amount of gym work Ryan appeared to have done. Ryan was another youthful success story for Wexford this year.
Full Back: Richie McCarthy (Limerick)
Anyone who was at a Limerick match this year knows the Limerick supporters are quite fond of Richie. You may even have found yourself humming his chant on days other than Sunday
Left corner back: Stephen McDonnell (Cork)
The Glen Rovers corner back was dropped during the League, but bounced back well to enjoy a strong Munster campaign, claiming his first provincial title.
Right-half back : Lee Chin (Wexford)
Starred at midfield for Wexford this year but, also featured at wing-back. Was simply too strong to ignore as Wexford experienced a hurling renaissance this summer.
Centre-back : Mark Ellis (Cork)
One of Jimmy Barry Murphy's greatest triumphs, Mark Ellis has gone from a peripheral squad player to central figure in the space of two short years.
Left half back: Seamus Hickey (Limerick)
A victim of his own versatility here, Hickey is likely to be the All-Star corner back. He featured at wing back against Cork in the Munster final, and while he was more effective at corner back, we've moved him to make room in the corner.
Midfield: Aidan Walsh (Cork)
His was a controversial summer blighted by endless talk of the impossibility of being a dual player in the modern game. Still a very strong showing as Cork earned their first Munster title in eight years.
Midfield: James Ryan (Limerick)
Delivered an exceptional performance against Tipperary in the opening round of the championship, earning the Man of the Match award for his trouble. A lynch-pin for this Limerick side.
Right-half forward: Conor Lehane (Cork)
Added to his burgeoning reputation in this year's Munster championship. Nothing to match his astonishing display in last year's Cork county final, but he hit an excellent five points from as Cork downed Limerick in the Munster Final.
Centre Forward: Declan Hannon (Limerick)
Superb performance, particularly in the first half, against the eventual All-Ireland champions, means Hannon gets the nod despite his relatively quiet Munster championship. Pips Podge Doran to occupy the centre-forward berth.
Left-half forward: Shane Dowling (Limerick)
One of Limerick's freest scorers, Dowling looks set fair for an All-Star this year, banging 2-8 against Wexford in the quarter-final in Thurles. He also delivered an excellent first half display in the driving rain against Kilkenny. Beats the effective and consistent Conor Cooney to the left-half forward berth.
Right-full forward: Alan Cadogan (Cork)
Tight call here, but Alan Cadogan's greater impact from open play helps him pip teammate Pat Horgan to the corner forward role. Horgan won Man of the Match against Clare but every one of this 2-11 came from placed balls.
Full-froward: Conor McDonald (Wexford)
One of the revelations of the summer, McDonald starred at both senior and U21 level.
Left-full forward: Liam Og McGovern (Wexford)
Flits between the half-forward line and the corner-forward line, McGovern's another bright dual star in Wexford. He's also looking for a place to live in Dublin according to his latest tweet.
