This is the GAA JOE Team of the weekend.
1 Ryan Elliott (Dunloy)
Made two sharp saves as Dunloy kept Slaughtneil at bay, and these were crucial in helping the Antrim club turn the tables on their great rivals. In doing so, they won their first Ulster hurling title in 12 years.
2 Tadhg Foley (Ballygunner)
Ballyea’s attack never really clicked in the Munster final, and Foley’s tidy defending played its part. He plays a key role in their short, slick-passing game too, and his handling rarely lets him down.
3 Joey Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
The Shamrocks were under siege in the second half but Holden remained resolute. A tremendous catch late on stood out, because it came at a time when Ballyhale were crying out for inspiration.
4 Ian Kenny (Ballygunner)
The joint-captain led by example in defence, and made a number of booming clearances.
5 Cian O’Cathasaigh (Kilmacud Crokes)
Many good men have tried and failed to quieten Eoin Cody this season but O’Cathasaigh succeeded. Cody’s two points were right out of the top drawer, but through O’Cathasaigh’s pace and tigerish intensity, the Kilkenny man quite simply wasn’t given the room to score anymore. It was a text-book man-marking performance.
6 Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes)
Kilmacud’s number six is like a fine-wine. The Downs had no joy in attack and O’Carroll’s strength and nous was key in repelling the Westmeath men.
7 Paul Kelly (Moycullen)
Kicked 0-2 as Moycullen eventually ground down a spirited Tourlestrane team.
8 Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
It was one of those days when Tony Kelly caught fire. He didn’t miss a shot in the first half, scoring from all angles and distances and Ballygunner just couldn’t manage him.
9 Fergal Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes)
What a display. Whitely has been playing the hurling of his life this year but this was his best performance. Was never beaten to a break and was so clever in his use of the ball. His first half point wasn’t just the score of the day, it could even be the score of the year.
Fergal Whitely left two men on the ground on his way to the score of the day.
An incredible performance from that man today 🙌@SportTG4 📽️pic.twitter.com/O61sh25wuT
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) December 4, 2022
10 Shane Beston (Ballygiblin)
Was married on Saturday. And he scored 3-3 in the Munster junior hurling final on Sunday.
Shane Beston in the right place at the right time as he completes a first half hat-trick.
HT: @Ballygiblingaa 3-02 to @Kieransgaa 0-07
📺Stream Pass 👇https://t.co/kRaoisO5qm pic.twitter.com/o3bEsuGsDl
— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) December 4, 2022
11 Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes)
Kilmacud had the Downs beaten in 15 minutes and it was Walsh, with his speed and class, that did the damage.
12 Peter Cooke (Moycullen)
The big man has given Moycullen an extra dimension this year and though the Connacht football final was a very slow burner, his class told for a finish.
13 Mark O’Dwyer (Monaleen)
O’Dwyer was in red-hot form in the Munster intermediate hurling final on Sunday, hitting 0-15, 0-11 from play as the Limerick side defeated Tipperary’s Roscrea.
14 Conal Cunning (Dunloy)
Slaughtneil couldn’t cope with him. Cunning hit 0-7 in the Ulster final, including four from play, as Dunloy’s main man delivered on the big stage.
15 Patrick Fitzgerald (Ballygunner)
Fitzgerald is strong, he’s fast, he’s 19. But he’s also one of the most skilful hurlers you’ll watch and the ease with which he finishes goals and points is an absolute sight to behold.
