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GAA

29th May 2015

We’ve had to leave some big names off our combined Dublin/Galway hurling XV

Some hand-wringing over this

Kevin McGillicuddy

No Liam Rushe.

Tin-hat at the ready, we’ve decided to see what kind of mutant offspring would emerge from the loins of the Dublin and Galway hurling squads if a ‘best of” was to be picked from both.

Both sides clash in the weekend’s major hurling game, in Croke Park, on Sunday at 2pm. We have been forced to jettison some very well known hurling men to get what we think would be a team that Ger Cunningham or Anthony Cunningham would be proud of.

Goalkeeper

Gary Maguire

If this was two seasons ago then James Skehill would have got the nod. His departure, last year, from the Galway panel means that Colm Callanan is the current number one. He’s a fine shot-stopper but Maguire is an All-Star winner. Alan Nolan may be the man who’s got the jersey for much of the league, but we feel that Maguire is the best ‘keeper that Dublin have.

His communication with the Dublin defence, as well as his all round ability, means we’re selecting the Ballyboden man.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Quarter-Final 28/3/2015 Dublin  Goalkeeper Gary Maguire Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Right corner-back

David Collins

The Galway corner-back is one of the stickiest markers around. He just edges out Cian O’Callaghan by virtue of his experience. Callaghan probably has a little more pace but having marked some of the best forwards in the game over the last decade, it’s doubtful there would be too many scores landed off the former Young Hurler of the Year.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A, Pearse Stadium, Galway 15/2/2015 Galway vs Clare  Galway captain David Collins Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy

Full-back

Peter Kelly

The Dubliner was hugely impressive in the league and Ger Cunningham must be hoping that he can keep his form intact for the championship. Kelly’s positional awareness was to the fore as he stopped a number of goal-bound efforts in the league semi final loss to Cork. Galway have failed to settle on a full-back under Anthony Cunningham, and that uncertainty over the position with Ronan Burke the latest man to be tried there means Kelly holds the edge of the square.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final 19/4/2015 Dublin Peter Kelly Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Left-corner back

Paul Schutte

Galway could have had at least three players to fill this spot but there is no way to look past Schutte for the other position in the corner. His reading of the game is exceptional, and anytime he is missing Dublin have always struggled. Galway can feel unlucky that Paul Mannion or Johnny Coen didn’t make the cut for the role.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final 19/4/2015 Dublin Paul Schutte Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Right half-back

Gearoid McInerney

Like father like son as the Galway wing back slot is once again donned by a ‘Mac’ from out west. His ability to find the posts means he’s a useful attacking option as well as having an incredible engine. He benefits as well from our decision to have Tannian at centre back but it would be hard to pick Shane Durkin or Chris Crummey ahead of him.

Centre-back

Iarla Tannian

There is not too many better sights for Galway supporters than seeing this man tear up the pitch. His ability to also play in midfield means his versatility gets him the nod over David Collins. Liam Rushe’s switch to attacking duties also means there is a vacancy in this vital area.

Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Semi-Final Replay,  O'Connor Park, Tullamore, Co. Offaly 28/6/2014  Kilkenny vs Galway GalwayÕs Iarla Tannian dejected after the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Left-wing back

Conal Keaney

If Ger Cunningham hadn’t refashioned him as a forward we’d have to find a place for Liam Rushe.

However we, instead, have gone for a man who made his name as a forward and is now playing as a half-back under the Corkman. Keaney seems a more natural fit as a half-back than Rushe is as a forward and any team in the country would have to find a place for him. Good in the air and good on the ground,an exceptional hurler.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final 19/4/2015 Dublin Conal Keaney Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Centre field 

Andy Smith

Despite being over 30, his work-rate and no little skill is crucial to everything Galway do right. Worth at least 0-2 every time he crosses the whitewash, we think his tracking back and leadership cannot be overlooked. Simon Lambert may be unfortunate to miss out here but Smith just edges him in terms of his link up play. He’s been a key man for Portumna for the last decade and rarely, if ever, has a bad game.

GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship Final 9/9/2012 Galway  Andy Smith   Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Centre-field

Johnny McCaffrey

The Lucan man’s brother might get more of the headlines with the footballers but Ger Cunningham is looking to build Dublin around this talented player at midfield. Also worth at least 0-2 per game, his pace would be be a valuable asset alongside Smith. Niall McMorrow is perhaps unlucky to miss out while Aiden Harte may feel that his relationship with Smith might see him get the nod as well as his more defensive sensibilities.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A 23/3/2014 Dublin Johnny McCaffrey takes a sideline Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Right wing forward

Cathal Mannion

It may not be his natural position so we’re hoping for some leeway on this but he has to be included in the team. Now aged 20, and after a wonderful debut season, he adds a mix of guile and sheer ability to any forward line he’s included in. Paul Ryan is the man to miss out as he is now longer a certain starter with Dublin.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A, Parnell Park, Dublin 22/3/2015 Galway  Galway's Cathal Mannion Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Centre forward

Ryan O’Dwyer

Dwyer may have failed to sparkle against Cork in the league semi final but the Tipperary native has the right amount of devil in him to be a major threat to any half back line. His aggression has seen him get the wrong side of referees before but we feel that his pure hurling ability, as well as the lift he can give to teammates, edges him into the starting XV.  Galway’s Jonathan Glynn and Joseph Cooney miss out, as does Rushe.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final 19/4/2015 Dublin Ryan O'Dwyer Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Left-half forward

David O’Callaghan

‘Dotsy’ has proven himself time and time again. Only on the wing because of an exceptional full-forward line, the man who scored 1-3 in his last outing against Cork has to be included. We’re sure that Niall Burke understands why.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Quarter-Final 28/3/2015 Dublin  David O'Callaghan Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Right corner-forward

Mark Schutte

Much like his brother Paul, he has pace as well as a wonderful hurling brain. Dublin’s best player under Ger Cunningham this year, so far, the goal threat he brings to the forward line makes him massively dangerous. Just edges James Regan and  Paul Ryan.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Quarter-Final 28/3/2015 Dublin Mark Schutte Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Full-forward

Joe Canning

There was no argument here. His best position is on the edge of the square. High or low he is a massive threat. Drags at least two defenders to him at all times with the array of attacking players around him double marking the Portumna man leaves a number of other players free. Could easily have filled any position from 10-15.

Joe Canning celebrates scoring a point 8/3/2015

Left corner forward

Jason Flynn

It could have been David Tracey and it was a flip of a coin to decide who would take the last spot but, ultimately, we went for the man who carried the can for Galway before Canning’s return. Flynn scored a last minute winner against Clare and fronts up every single time. One for now and the future.

Gw Dub

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