The unsung heroes of hurling.
Now’s their time. Let them sing their song.
For one reason or another, these players don’t get the credit their performances deserve. These are the lads that you can always rely upon to deliver the goods, the lads that won’t let you down in the heat of battle.
They do their job, but they do it quietly. They won’t be making the headlines, and for the most part, they’re comfortable having it that way.
Here’s the best of them right now.
1. Goalkeeper – Shane McGann (Meath)
The Kiltale netminder is one of the best in the business. The only reason he’s not a household name is because of the status of Meath hurling, though that is changing.
Ever-reliable in goals for his club, his displays for his county have been eye-catching, too. His best display in the green and gold came in January 2017 when he made two penalty saves from Offaly’s Shane Dooley.
His consistency is up there with the best of them, and so are his drilled puck-outs.
2. Right corner back – Damien Cahalane (Cork)
Cahalane became somewhat of a scapegoat when Cork were struggling between 2013 and 2017. The Rebel rising began in 2017, and he played a key role in that.
We should remember the nullifying marking jobs he did on so many corner and full forwards this year. He kept Shane O’Donnell scoreless, he marked Seamus Callanan out of it.
He has a huge presence, he’s strong, fast and clever. A reliable defender.
3. Full back – Tommy ‘Jogger’ Doyle (Westmeath)
The quintessential full back. The ‘Jogger’ is a beast at the edge of the square for the Lake County, and he would claim a starting place on any other team in Ireland, too. Just ask Seamus Callanan.
4. Left full back – Liam Ryan (Wexford)
We are so used to seeing the Yellow Belly defender bursting out of defence with the type of momentum that lifts a crowd and changes a game.
He attacks the ball with venom, vigour and confidence. Can be relied upon for a marking job, too.
5. Right half back – Seámus Kennedy (Tipperary)
Kennedy’s debut season for the Premier County’s seniors in 2016 was outstanding. He was a behemoth at half back the whole year for Michael Ryan’s All-Ireland winning charges.
The former Tipperary footballer is teak tough and very strong and capable in the air. His wrists are slick and his striking is crisp.
You’d know well he was a top class footballer in his day, such is his attention to detail when in possession of the ball.
Will be hoping for a big 2018.
6. Centre half back – Conor Gleeson (Waterford)
One of the toughest tacklers and best man-markers in the game. Typical of Derek McGrath’s well-drilled Déise side, Gleeson plays with a ferocious intensity and drive.
An ocean of calm when he does claim possession. He regularly plays the short, clever pass that screams of a man who’s always in it for the greater good of the team.
Another link on the chain, but a very important link at that.
7. Left half back – Chris Crummy (Dublin)
One of the few shining lights for the capital city’s stick-men over the last few years, Crummy may not get the credit he deserves because of the struggles of his teammates to match him.
This man can field a ball like no other hurler in Dublin. His height, strength and determination ensures all 10s or 12s will be attempting to spoil rather than win high balls and puck-outs.
So often he collects a hard-earned ball and lumps an inspirational, momentum-gaining long-ranger over the black spot.
Will be key to Pat Gilroy’s hopes of turning the sky blue tide.
8. Midfield – Conor Fogarty (Kilkenny)
Goes about his business quietly, but always gets that business done. Fogarty won’t make the headlines but he will hassle, harry, spoil and distribute.
As good a stick man as wears the black and amber, he’s content to be a team player, and Kilkenny benefit from that.
9. Midfield – Paddy Purcell (Laois)
The marauding Laois man can run from deep with a threatening drive and sense of unpredictability that can send defenders into a sea of confusion and panic.
His marauding solo-runs so often culminate in the provision of that final pass or a white flag.
Speed to burn. A constant platform for Laois hurling to build on. A constant reminder that the so-called weaker counties can produce talent to match the best of them.
10. Left half forward – Diarmuid O’Keeffe (Wexford)
So versatile, so workmanlike, so willing. You get the impression that Diarmuid O’Keeffe would die with his boots on for the good of the cause. He’ll always run himself into the ground, he’ll always chase and tackle like the ball is the love of his life.
Mightn’t get the credit he deserves because of a lack of grace, but he’s one of Davy Fitzgerald’s loyal lieutenants. Mr reliable.
11. Centre half forward – Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher (Tipperary)
A dogged performer. Like O’Keeffe, Maher will chase down lost causes with a relentless conviction that can put off the man in possession.
Has a deceptively good first touch, and his selfless play provides the perfect platform for Tipperary’s finishers to flourish. Won’t rack up the big scores, will always be effective in what he does, however.
12. Right half forward – Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh (Waterford)
Despite donning the Déise blue for almost 15 years now, ‘Brick’ would never have been considered a star player. His value to the cause can’t be underestimated. A youthful Waterford side regularly reference his leadership and cool head in the dressing room – it’s just as prevalent on the field of play.
Never in a hurry, always assured and confident in possession. The best man to get himself out of a situation with a hand-pass or a flick of the hurl.
A class act that we will truly appreciate when he’s gone.
13. Left corner forward – Shane Dowling (Limerick)
Dowling rarely gets the credit he deserves, but Na Piarsaigh and Limerick supporters can always bank on their forward to knock over the chances that come his way. Chances that regulary come his way, but that’s not by chance.
Though he’s not the quickest, he makes up for it with his quick-thinking and his constant movement. Keeps defenders guessing, so often he shows up in acres of space to take an offload from a teammate.
Deadly from the frees, too.
Strong as an ox on top of everything.
14. Full forward – Niall O’Brien (Westmeath)
The live-wire Castletown-Geoghegan forward is the sharpest shooter in Westmeath. Has a low centre of gravity, can turn defenders in an instant, and like all good forwards, has the composure to take his score when the opportunity presents itself.
Was one of the key men for his club in their county title triumph in 2017, and also showed well in their loss to Kilcormac-Killoughey in the Leinster stages of the competition, where he scored 1-8.
Will be a big player for DIT in their Fitzgibbon Cup campaign this year, will be a big player for the Lake County’s seniors for years to come.
15. Right corner forward – James Doyle (Carlow)
We said we’d stick him in here because there’s no chance this man will be on an underrated players list in the years to come. Netted four times in Carlow’s Christy Ring final triumph over Antrim, Doyle is as talented a young forward as there is in any county.
So talented that he plays centre back for the Carlow IT Fitzgibbon team. So talented that he will be heard tell of.
