There’s bound to be a fall-out from this.
1 Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)
The best in the business, one of the best ever. A mainstay since 2013, a mainstay for years to come.
2 Ronan Maher (Tipperary)
His distribution is imperious, ball-winning incredible. Scores points, stops points. Can play anywhere from 2-9, Maher is the complete defender and still, he just about shades his teammate Cathal Barrett here.
3 JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)
JJ won three All-Irelands this decade. Kilkenny haven’t won one since. One of the greatest ever.
4 Daithí Burke (Galway)
A modern-day JJ Delaney. A maroon wall in the last line since 2014.
5 Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny)
Has been full back for the last two but for three years, Walsh was the most giddy, galloping half back hurling has seen since his brother Tommy.
6 Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
Tipperary’s Mr. Consistent. Dominates to the extent that teams would have to be foolish to go into a game against Tipp without planning to keep it away from the Thurles man at centre back.
7 Brendan Maher (Tipperary)
A phenomenon in the half back line. Starred in 2010, captained Tipp in 2016 and came back from a cruciate injury to win in 2019. What a player the Borrisoleigh man has been.
8 Noel McGrath (Tipperary)
Probably the most graceful hurler in the game. Getting better with age.
9 David Burke (Galway)
Has been a key player for Galway since 2009. His influence increasing with every passing year. Scores points, sets up scores clears from his own full back line.
10 Henry Shefflin
One of the greatest. In 2011 and 2012, he was untouchable. Saying that, Tony Kelly is desperately unlucky to miss out here.
11 TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
The most effective hurler in Ireland over the last five years.
So strong, so skilful, so reliable. Such a leader.
12 Joe Canning (Galway)
Scaling similar heights to TJ.
Hurler of the Year in 2017, Canning was even better in 2018. Has been a beacon of consistency for Galway.
13 Patrick Horgan (Cork)
The only player on the team not to have won an All-Ireland. Hoggie is an exceptional case.
Gifted doesn’t even cover the half of it.
14 Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)
In 2010, Callanan came on and sealed the deal for Tipp with three points off the bench. In 2014, he became the most feared forward in the country and he hasn’t looked back since.
Fittingly ended the decade as All-Ireland winning captain and Hurler of the year.
15 Richie Hogan
Richie was in a league of his own between 2010 and 2015. Injuries have struck since, but the Danesfort dynamo is still a key player for Kilkenny.
