THE GAA AND GPA have announced their 2011 Hurling All-Stars selection.
As is only fitting, given their status as current All-Ireland champions, Kilkenny contribute the most players from any one county, eight in total, including Henry Shefflin, who makes an unprecedented tenth appearance on the list.
The selection also includes four players from beaten finalists Tipperary, two from Dublin and a lone nominee from Waterford.
The full line-up reads as follows:
Goalkeeper
1. Gary Maguire (Dublin)
Full-backs
2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny) 3. Paul Curran (Tipperary) 4. Michael Cahill (Tipperary)
Half-backs
5. Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) 6. Brian Hogan (Kilkenny) 7. Pádraic Maher (Tipperary)
Midfielders
8. Liam Rushe (Dublin) 9. Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)
Half-forwards
10. Michael Rice (Kilkenny) 11. Richie Power (Kilkenny) 12. Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)
Full-forwards
13. John Mullane (Waterford) 14. Lar Corbett (Tipperary) 15. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
Were the GPA and GAA too generous when it came to Kilkenny? Are the rest of the Championship’s contenders under-represented? And when it comes to the individuals selected: who got lucky, and who has every right to feel aggrieved?
Comments, both measured and ranty, below.