TJ Reid has been identified as the most effective playmaker in hurling with an average this season of 5.0 assists per game.
According to GAA Insights, Reid averages five assists on shots per game, just edging out Limerick’s Aaron Gillane. The criteria for an assist is frees won and all passes or deliveries made to the shooter.
Although Gillane was edged for top spot, Limerick still have three players in the top seven with Kyle Hayes and Cian Lynch also included.
The Top Shot assisters in the SHC so far. That man @_tjreid out in front again this year. TJ sets up 5 shots a game so far this year. #gaa pic.twitter.com/oUMOxQIVV6
— GAA Insights (@GAA_Insights) July 5, 2019
Dublin defender and captain Chris Crummey said that toughest thing about marking Reid is his intelligence and that the forward seemingly always makes the right decision while in possession.
“TJ is an all-rounder,” said Crummey.
“He can win the ball high, he’s strong in the air but he’s strong on the ground as well. He’s intelligent in his movement. Like any lethal forward, when he gets the ball, it’s a score. The difficulty is limiting his number of possessions because when he does get possession, he’ll generally take the right option; take a score or give an assist to another player.”
Meanwhile Cork manager John Meyler said that his forward Patrick Horgan was right up there with Reid and Galway’s Joe Canning as the best forwards in hurling.
“Hoggy deserves great credit for what he’s done for Cork over the years,” said Meyler.
“He’s always first to training, he’s always practicing, he leads by example and it’s no wonder he’s a super talent. He deserves the height of credit for what he’s done and he’s right there with TJ Reid, who has the All-Ireland medals, Joe has one, Hoggy has none but he’s right there with those two as the form forwards in hurling. No doubt about that.”
