Many people often ask: who are the best GAA hurlers of all time?
While it's impossible to compare generations, and the sport has come on leaps and bounds in 15 years, there is still a common consensus on who the all-time greats are.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the PwC All-Stars Awards, we convened a panel of hurling experts to pick the best 15 hurlers of all time.
The panel chosen included former Clare hurler Anthony Daly, former player and current Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy and a two-time All-star winner for Cork Hurling Anthony Nash.
The trio did well to keep their debate on the team to an hour, and in the end, came to a consensus on the all-time best Hurling team over the last 5o years consisting of their greatest hurlers of all time.
The All-Star's all-time best hurling team consisting of the greatest hurlers of all time
1. Noel Skehan - Kilkenny
All-Stars(7) - 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1982, 1983
All-Irelands(9) - 1963, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1982, 1983
Skehan is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurling goalkeepers of all time. During his 17-year playing career, he won nine All-Irelands, three of which was when he was a sub.
He became the first-choice keeper for the Cats in 1972, that year he not only earned his starting spot within the team but he was also selected as captain. Over his playing career, Skehan won seven All stars awards and was also named Texaco Hurler of the Year, solidifying him a position is this All time best Hurling team of the past 50 years consisting of the greatest Hurlers of all time.
2 September 1973; Kilkenny goalkeeper Noel Skehan in action against Ned Rea of Limerick during the All Ireland Hurling Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park, in Dublin. Photo by Connolly Collection/Sportsfile
2. JJ Delaney - Kilkenny
All-Stars(7) - 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
All-Irelands(9) - 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 2014
Delaney made his debut for Kilkenny in the 2001 championship. He was immediately a regular in the starting fifteen. Over his 13-year playing career, he made 66 appearances for Kilkenny, winning nine All-Ireland medals, 11 Leinster medals, and eight national league titles.
His impressive trophy cabinet earns him a rightful spot as being regarded as one of greatest hurlers of all time. 2003 was one of his most impressive individual years as he won the first of his six All-Star awards. He also went on to win the All-Star, Texaco and GPA Hurler of the Year awards that year.
29 November 2003; JJ Delaney, Kilkenny, One of The Best Hurlers of all time Left Half-back on the 2003 Vodafone Allstar Hurling team. Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
3. Brian Lohan - Clare
All-Stars(4) - 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002
All-Irelands(2) - 1995, 1997
Brian Lohan is widely considered to be one of the greatest hurling full-backs of all time. Lohan first broke onto Clare’s intercounty scene in 1993, at just 21 years old. During his early years playing for the Banner County, Lohan won two All-Ireland championship titles in 1995 and 1997.
He also won three Munster champions during that four-year period. Lohan is just one of five Clare hurlers to make more than 50 championship appearances for the county, making him one of their longest-serving hurlers. Over his playing career, he collected four All-Stars and was named Hurler of the Year.
8 June 1997; Brian Lohan of Clare, regarded as one of The best hurlers of all time during the GAA Munster Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final match between Clare and Cork at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
4. Brian Corcoran - Cork
All-Stars(3) - 1992, 1999, 2004
All-Irelands(3) - 1999, 2004, 2005
Corcoran was a dual player for Cork as he played both hurling and gaelic for the rebels. He shined brighter in one than the other however and that was hurling.
Corcoran went on to be a key player for Cork and is often referred to as one of the greatest hurlers of his generation. The Cork man won three All-Ireland medals, five Munster titles and two National Hurling League medals.
12 September 2004; Brian Corcoran, Cork. Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final, Cork v Kilkenny, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE *** Local Caption *** Any photograph taken by SPORTSFILE during, or in connection with, the 2004 Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Final which displays GAA logos or contains an image or part of an image of any GAA intellectual property, or, which contains images of a GAA player/players in their playing uniforms, may only be used for editorial and non-advertising purposes. Use of photographs for advertising, as posters or for purchase separately is strictly prohibited unless prior written approval has been obtained from the Gaelic Athletic Association.
5. Tommy Walsh - Kilkenny
All-Stars(9) - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
All-Irelands(9) - 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014
A part of Kilkenny’s infamous four-in-a-row squad Walsh is one of the most successful players of all time. During his playing career, the Kilkenny man won 9 All-Stars to match with the 9 All-Ireland medals he won.
Walsh made 56 championship appearances for the Cats throughout his 12-year playing career, winning an impressive ten Leinster titles and seven National League medals.
6. Padraic Maher - Tipperary
All-Stars(6) - 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019
All-Irelands(3) - 2010, 2016, 2019
Maher made his senior debut for Tipperary in 2009 and it was evident from the start we were witnessing a great hurler. He ended the 2009 season by being named in the full-back position on the All-Star team.
Maher went on to win three All-Ireland medals, six all-stars and five Munster championships, earning him a rightful spot on this greatest hurler’s of all time list, which makes the all-time best hurling time.
18 August 2019; widely regarded as one of the best hurlers of all time, Padraic Maher of Tipperary celebrates following the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
7. Brian Whelahan - Offaly
All-Stars(4) - 1992, 1995, 1998, 1999
All-Irelands(2) - 1994, 1998
Whelahan is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game. He was the first person to be named Texaco Hurler of the Year twice.
The Offaly man, made 56 appearances for his county, making him have the second most appearances for Offaly, just behind Joe Dooley. During his playing time Whelahan won four All-stars, two All-Ireland medals and three Leinster titles.
29 August 1998; Brian Whelahan of Offaly before the Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final Refixture match between Clare and Offaly at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
8. John Fenton - Cork
All-Stars(5) - 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
All-Irelands(3) - 1978, 1984, 1986
John Fenton is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of his era. During his 12-year playing span, he won five consecutive All-Stars for his consistent well-rounded performances.
The midfielder made his inter-county debut in 1975 and immediately became a starting 15. During his time with the rebels, Fenton won two All-Ireland medals, for their 1984 win he was selected as captain, he also won seven Munster medals and two National Hurling League medals.
2 September 1984; Cork Captain John Fenton holds the Liam MacCarthy Cup also pictured is GAA President Paddy Buggy. All-Ireland Hurling Final, Cork v Offaly, Semple Stadium, Thurles. Picture credit; Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE
9. Frank Cummins - Kilkenny
All-Stars(4) -1971, 1972, 1982, 1983
All-Irelands (8) - 1967, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1982, 1983,
Cummins made 49 championship appearances for Kilkenny over a two-decade time span. His first appearance on the senior team was in the 1966 Oireachtas Cup.
Following his debut, he went on to have a successful playing career, he played an instrumental role for his Kilkenny side.
He won eight All-Ireland medals, nine Leinster medals and three National Hurling League medals. The cat's man is widely seen as one of the greatest hurlers in the game's history. He won the Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1983/
13 July 1980; Frank Cummins of Kilkenny clears under pressure from Pat Kirwan of Offaly during the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Offaly at Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
10. Joe Canning - Galway
All-Star(5) - 2008, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2018
All-Irelands(1) - 2017
Canning made his senior debut for Galway on 13 April 2008. His first game was against Cork, where he scored four points, including one of his trademark sideline cut scores.
He was a prolific scorer from both play and placed balls, Canning holds the record for most sideline cuts scored (28). He not only holds that impressive record, but he also holds the most valued and cherished record any forward would want.
Canning is the championship's all-time top sorcerer with 27 goals and 486 points, he accumulated these scores over 62 championship appearances which is a Gawlays record.
He won seven major trophies in his inter-county career, including one All-Ireland Championship, three Leinster Championships and three National Hurling Leagues.
11. Henry Shefflin - Kilkenny
All-Star(11) - 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012
All-Irelands(10) - 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
Henry Shefflin often referred to as ‘King Shefflin’ throughout his playing career, many say he is the best hurler of all time and he is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game. He is the only player to win 'Hurler of the Year' three times, in 2002, 2006 and 2012.
During his 16-year playing time with Kilkenny, Shefflin won a remarkable 10 All-Ireland Championship titles, which is more than any other player in history, 13 Leinster Championship titles, six National Hurling League titles and six Walsh Cup titles.
Shefflin’s honours on an individual level are also outstanding. He won 11 all-star awards, making 71 championship appearances for Kilkenny. He is also the Cat's all-time leading scorer with 27 goals and 484 points. Shefflin was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year in 2006.
12. TJ Reid - Kilkenny
All-Stars(6) - 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020
All-Irelands(7) - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
Reid first came into the Kilkenny senior setup in 2007. Since his debut, Reid has gone on to prove he is one of the most dominant forwards of his generation, if not of all time. He is the highest-scoring player in the history of the All-Ireland championship series, as of June 2023 he has 30 goals and 516 points, a total of 606 points in the All-Ireland series.
Reid has won seven All-Ireland medals and 12 Leinster titles with Kilkenny.
17 July 2022; TJ Reid of Kilkenny during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
13. Nicky English - Tipperary
All-Stars(6) - 1983, 1984, 1085, 1987, 1988, 1989
All-Irelands(2) - 1989, 1991
English made 35 championships for Tipperary during a 14-year-long playing career. He is Tipp’s third all-time top scorer in the championship with 20 goals and 117 points.
English is widely regarded as one of Tipperary's greatest-ever players. During his playing days, he won six All-Star awards as well as the Texaco Hurler of the Year award in 1989.
7 August 1988. Tipperary's Nicky English in action against Antrim. All-Ireland Hurling Semi-final, Tipperary v Antrim, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit; Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE
14. Jimmy Barry-Murphy - Cork
All-Stars(5) - 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1986
All-Ireland’s(5) - 1976, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986
Jimmy Barry-Murphy is another impressive dual play from Cork on this list, having won an All-Ireland medal for both football and hurling. He is widely regarded as one of the most iconic players in the history of the GAA.
Although the Cork man was impressive in both sports he excelled in one when it came to winning. During his 11-year-long hurling career, he won five All-Ireland titles, a record-equalling 10 Munster titles and two National Hurling League medals.
2 September 1984; Jimmy Barry Murphy of Cork during the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final between Cork and Offaly at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
15. DJ Carey - Kilkenny
All-Stars(9) - 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002
All-Irelands(5) - 1992, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2003
DJ Carey often referred to as the GAA’s first ‘superstar’ and a hurling legend rightfully belongs on this list.
Carey made his debut in 1998 for Kilkenny’s senior team and up until his retirement in 2006 played a crucial role in the team's success. During his 8 year time playing for the Cats, he won five All-Ireland Championships, ten Leinster Championship medals and four National Hurling League medals.
10 September 2000; DJ Carey of Kilkenny celebrates on Hill 16 after the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Offaly at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
