It was another bumper year at the All-Star awards for Kilkenny, as eight of our All-Ireland winning hurlers each managed to secure the highest individual accolade in inter-county hurling.
The hurlers arrived at the Conference Centre in Dublin suited and booted, accompanied, in some cases, by their dazzlingly befrocked significant others.
Kilkenny had 14 nominations for this year’s awards, and while the overall winners were announced on the morning of the ceremony, the glamorous evening lost nothing of its lustre.
For some of the winners, there were no big celebrations in order, as the focus quickly shifted to the next game of hurling. For two Ballyhale men, that meant a county final, and for two Danesfort men, it meant a provincial championship game.
Henry Shefflin could probably find his way onto the awards stage blindfolded by now. He won a record 10th All-Star award, capping off yet another outstanding season in the black and amber.
Likewise Tommy Walsh, who arrived to collect his award for the ninth consecutive year – another record.
Michael Fennelly, not content with winning a mere All-Star, also took home Hurler of the Year, as many expected he would, given his championship form all season. His midfield partner Michael Fennelly received an All-Star also, albeit in the half forward line. What a combination they have been this year.
Brian Hogan, Paul Murphy, and Richie Hogan all won their first All-Stars – the latter two enjoying a fantastic fortnight of hurling, with a county final win the previous weekend, and then victory over Kildalkey on Sunday.
Richie Power deservedly landed his second award, joining Henry Shefflin and Michael Rice in an illustrious half forward line.
President of the GAA Christy Cooney congratulated the 2011 award recipients, the first hurling winners under the new joint scheme between the GAA and the GPA.
“The excellence of Kilkenny and Tipperary has once again been acknowledged in the selection of the 15 players who make the cut for this year’s selection,” he said.
“Within Kilkenny’s haul of eight the personal feats of both Henry Shefflin and Tommy Walsh remind us that we are witnessing first-hand the skills of players who are as good as any that have played the game.”
