Almost as anticipated as the game itself on All-Ireland hurling final day is the Sunday Game team of the year.
This year's evening highlights programme had a rather different feel to previous occasions, as both Kilkenny and victors Limerick travelled home rather than staying in Dublin, but nonetheless it was a fascinating discussion of what was a fiercely competitive championship.
As expected, Limerick dominated the selections with seven, but there was also strong representation from their opponents on Sunday Kilkenny (five), as well as from Clare (two), and a sole representative from Galway.
Here it is: the Sunday Game hurling team of the year for 2023, with comment from the pundits on duty.
Sunday Game panel name team of the year
Goalkeeper: Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)
9 July 2023; Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy makes saves from a injury time shot by Peter Duggan of Clare during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Kilkenny and Clare at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Dáire Brennan/Sportsfile
Brendan Cummins: "This save here [v Clare] is All-Star material all over. Over the course of the year, he's been the driving force from the back. We had Nickie Quaid from Limerick, it was very close - and Eibhear Quilligan, who weirdly couldn't get on the Clare team for the first game of the championship this year but regained his spot, he was really good in the semi-final. But Eoin Murphy was the man this year."
Corner-back: Mikey Butler (Kilkenny)
23 July 2023; Mikey Butler of Kilkenny after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Jackie Tyrrell: "Mr Dependable. You think of his goal in the Leinster final, the really good job he did on Tony Kelly. At times, he had it tough on Peter Casey today but outstanding overall."
Full-back: Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny)
23 July 2023; Huw Lawlor of Kilkenny before the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Jackie Tyrrell: "Best full-back in the country, bar none. Did an outstanding job on Aaron Gillane, a real leader from the back, even came up and got a few scores. He's played his game to a really high level."
Corner-back: Dan Morrissey (Limerick)
23 July 2023; Dan Morrissey of Limerick wins possession ahead of Martin Keoghan of Kilkenny during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Jackie Tyrrell: "What could you say about 'Mr Dependable' from Limerick? Full-back, centre-back, wing-back, does his job so effectively and so well. An outstanding full-back line."
READ HERE: Diarmaid Byrnes Had Brilliant Quip On Deegan Goal After Limerick All-Ireland Victory
Wing-back: Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)
23 July 2023; Diarmaid Byrnes of Limerick celebrates after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Dónal Óg: "Outstanding players in this area. Diarmaid, for me, you think of that penalty score against Cork at a critical point. Today, he got seven out of eight frees, and one point, that was ridiculous."
Centre-back: William O'Donoghue (Limerick)
8 July 2023; William O'Donoghue of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Limerick and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Dónal Óg: "Will O'Donoghue is at the back. He's played some outstanding games in the middle of the field, again he was outstanding against Cork, especially in the first half, against Clare at centre-back, [standing in] for Declan Hannon, was so important and deserves it.
Wing-back: Kyle Hayes (Limerick)
23 July 2023; Kyle Hayes of Limerick lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Dónal Óg: "After one slight lapse - and, maybe, by his own standards, wasn't as good this year as in previous years - but was still outstanding."
Hayes was elected the hurler of the year by the Sunday Game panel - though Dónal Óg objected vociferously.
READ HERE: Jackie Tyrrell Says New All-Ireland Hurling Final Tradition Wouldn't Work In His Day
Midfield: Darragh O'Donovan (Limerick)
23 July 2023; Tom Phelan of Kilkenny is tackled by Kyle Hayes and Darragh O'Donovan of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Joe Canning: "For us, Darragh O'Donovan was nailed 0n. The semi-final he had against Galway was phenomenal, he changed the game just before half-time with the balls he was hitting in. Today again, chipped in with a crucial score in the second-half as well."
Midfield: David Fitzgerald (Clare)
24 June 2023; David Fitzgerald of Clare in action against Conor Burke of Dublin during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter Final match between Clare and Dublin at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Joe Canning: "Maybe played a bit at wing-forward a bit of the time for Clare this year, but was wearing 9 all year. Had a great year, and backed up last year as well."
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Wing-forward: Tom Morrissey (Limerick)
23 July 2023; Tom Morrissey of Limerick scores a point despite the efforts of Conor Fogarty of Kilkenny during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ursula Jacob: "He probably excelled most throughout the Munster championship. 18 points in seven games...he was probably a little quieter today for his standards, but still consistently good throughout the year."
Centre-forward: TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
23 July 2023; TJ Reid of Kilkenny celebrates after scoring a point during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Ursula Jacob: "What more can you say...the semi-final performance was probably the standout...he's a leader, he's consistently brilliant."
Wing-forward: Shane O'Donnell (Clare)
9 July 2023; Shane O'Donnell of Clare celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Kilkenny and Clare at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ursula Jacob: "Consistently brilliant...that goal in the semi-final...his footwork, his skillset, everything - brilliant. Everything that he brings to this Clare attack is brilliant.
"Obviously the big omission in the half-forward line there is possibly Tony Kelly [Clare], Dónal Burke [Dublin]."
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Corner-forward: Conor Whelan (Galway)
8 July 2023; Conor Whelan of Galway during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Limerick and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Shane Dowling: "I got the easy line. Man-of-the-match in the semi-final, and in the Leinster final, he was brilliant."
Full-forward: Aaron Gillane (Limerick)
23 July 2023; Aaron Gillane of Limerick celebrates a point during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Shane Dowling: "When Limerick weren't at their best in the Munster final this year, he was the go-to man, and the same again in the semi-final."
Corner-forward: Eoin Cody (Kilkenny)
23 July 2023; Eoin Cody of Kilkenny scores his side's first goal despite the efforts of Limerick players Diarmaid Byrnes and Barry Nash during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Shane Dowling: "He got a great goal today, he's bold...he goes for goal, and he was exceptional for Kilkenny all year."
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