Picking out the class of 2012
Comment by Diarmuid O’Flynn
Thursday, October 04, 2012
In looking through the nominations for the 2012 hurling All-Stars, I note what I would consider to be a few glaring omissions.
Nevertheless I would take a fairly safe bet that no matter what final 15 most hurling fans were going to choose, they will find some of them among those named here.
That’s not to say this selection will meet universal approval — no siree, it will not and I have my own problems with it.
There are many players who have had sterling seasons yet who find no mention here, and the unfortunate thing for those players is that the vast majority of them are from the hurling counties less glamorous, from the counties who didn’t make an impression in the latter stages of the championship.
It starts with the goalkeeper.
To my mind, Waterford’s Stephen O’Keeffe should have been in with a real shout of an All Star award this year, was outstanding every time I saw him. But would I have had him in there ahead of the three chosen? Tight call, very tight call — Nash, Quaid and Skehill all also had stellar years.
Then we go to the full-back line and here, the name that comes to mind is Clare’s Domhnall O’Donovan. God this guy had a year!
If you’re going to put one in, however, you’d have to take one out — due respect to Kevin Hynes, but he was taken by Richie Hogan last Sunday, was taken also a few times earlier in this campaign. I’d have had O’Donovan in here.
In the half-back line, I’d be looking at Rory Hanniffy of Offaly, again a lesser-sung county but Rory himself had a super year.
Who to omit? I know Kieran Joyce had two good All-Ireland finals but that’s not enough for me I’m afraid. Rory would have got my vote here, with Limerick’s Wayne McNamara also getting honourable mention.
In midfield what I consider to be a serious omission: in league and championship this year Limerick’s James Ryan was a veritable powerhouse every time he put on that green shirt.
County loyalty aside, and I know he too had a fine year, I’d have had Ryan ahead of Pa Cronin.
The half-forward line, and again I have a problem with a Limerick guy left on the sidelines — young Shane Dowling. Taking the whole year into account (as you should), Shane would be ahead of several of those chosen, including both Galwegians, Pa Bourke and — especially — Danny Sutcliffe. Way ahead.
In the inside line, again I have to wonder. Where is Shane Dooley, what did he do wrong this year? Conor McGrath likewise of Clare, another who carried a major part of his side’s burden, while yet another youngster, Niall O’Brien of Westmeath, deserves honourable mention. Who would I have in? Dooley definitely, perhaps McGrath, in place of any of at least three.
On the hurler of the year, no argument whatsoever, Henry Shefflin, Paul Murphy and Joe Canning are the three standout guys.
On the young hurler of the year, however, again I have serious questions, and again it’s about Shane Dowling. He practically carried his club, Na Piarsaigh, to an All-Ireland club final, then led the Limerick attack through the league campaign, and again in the championship. Then you look at Conor McGrath and what he did with both the Clare senior and U21 teams — how are those two overlooked? Either of them were far more influential for their teams than Dublin’s Danny Sutcliffe, while both Coen and Burke had their dodgy days for Galway, Coen in last Sunday’s All-Ireland senior final replay when he again struggled to contain the giant Walter Walsh, just as he’d struggled in the All-Ireland U21 semi-final.
Niall Burke too blew hot and cold, was substituted in a few of Galway’s games. No; for me both McGrath and Dowling (especially) should be in here.
The major point is though that all of this is very subjective, we all have our own opinions, and this is a great end-of-season way to generate a bit of additional discussion around the year that was. When it comes to such discussion only a few of us are infallible (you all know them) — I’m afraid I don’t fall into that category.
Anyway there they are now, all the inclusions and all the omissions; have your own fun with them
