It was another great weekend of hurling.
Wexford and Clare are flying it, Kilkenny are struggling.
Tipperary are tipping along. Waterford haven’t got going yet. Cork are there or thereabouts while Galway are going through the motions but getting the job done.
Limerick are cruising, Dublin are stuttering. Offaly were hammered back down to earth. Antrim and Laois are fighting like mad.
Here’s our team of the weekend.
1 – Goalkeeper – Nickie Quaid (Limerick)
Didn’t have much to do against a poor Offaly side, but his laser puck-outs set up so many Treaty attacks.
2 – Right corner back – Jack Browne (Clare)
Fiery but tidy. He helped keep the Kilkenny forwards at bay for the day.
3 – Full back – Liam Ryan (Wexford)
Had the better of his dual with Patrick Horgan.
4 – Left corner back – Damien Reck (Wexford)
A serious young talent. The Kilkenny forwards got little or no change off him.
5 – Right half back – Seadna Morey (Clare)
A weapon going forward. Tight in defence. His speed got him and his team out of any sticky situations against Kilkenny.
6 – Centre half back – Diarmuid Byrnes (Limerick)
0-2 from half back. A dominant display against Offaly.
7 – Left half back – Paudie Feehan (Tipperary)
A new addition to the Tipperary team, the Kilenuale youngster acquitted himself well in Tipperary’s defeat of Waterford.
8 – Midfield – Ronan Maher (Tipperary)
How could the man who scored three beautiful points from play and a sideline cut from midfield not make it?
9 – Midfield – Lee Chin (Wexford)
Obviously.
10 – Left half forward – Martin Keoghan (Kilkenny)
The Tullaroan man is only 20, but he’s one to watch. Came off the bench after 25 minutes and dragged Kilkenny back into the game. Scored two fine points but did very well in a tough game in general.
11 – Centre half forward – Noel McGrath (Tipperary)
Noel McGrath turned on the style in Semple Stadium after the half-time whistle. Waterford had no answer.
12 – Right half forward – David Reidy (Clare)
This man has started the league as he means to go on. 2-11 in two games. 1-3 from play against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park. Making his mark.
13 – Left corner forward – Conor Whelan (Galway)
Saved his county with two goals.
14 – Full forward – Neil McManus (Antrim)
0-16.
15 – Right corner forward – Aaron Gillane (Limerick)
One of the most devastating young talents in hurling. In a ridiculously young Limerick team, Gillane is their danger man.
1-8 against Laois, 1-2 from play.
