GPA Team of the year

adrian522

From RTE.ie

The nominees for the 2009 Opel GPA Hurling Team of the Year have been announced today by the Gaelic Players Association.

A total of 45 players have been shortlisted for the Team of the Year, while three players also received nominations for the prestigious Opel GPA Hurler of the Year Award.

The shortlist for the Team of the Year includes three players for each position reflecting the dominant role played by the player during the 2009 season.

The list contains players from seven counties including; Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Dublin and Galway.

The shortlist reflects the most successful counties in this year's championship with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny receiving a total of 11 nominations while losing All-Ireland finalists Tipperary go one better with 12.

Semi-finalists Waterford and Limerick both received four and two nominations respectively while Galway and Dublin both had six players nominated.

The three nominees for the Opel GPA Player of the Year for Hurling, as chosen by the Hurling Selection Committee are: Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Lar Corbett (Tipperary) and John Mullane (Waterford).

Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players' Association said: 'Kilkenny's success in achieving an historic four-in-a-row capped a memorable hurling season in which the champions were pushed all the way by Tipperary.

'Last month's All-Ireland final was a testimony to the ambition and dedication of the top two counties this season and this is reflected in their 23 combined nominations. The players will now decide who will be honoured in each position.

'Congratulations to all the nominees, thanks to our selection committee headed by Donal O'Grady and thanks to Opel for their continued support of this unique awards scheme.'

The awards culminate in a Gala Evening on Friday, 6 November in the City West Hotel, Dublin when the Hurling and Football Teams of the Year are presented with their awards on stage and the Opel GPA Hurler and Footballer of the Year are chosen on the night.

Each player on the winning team receives a trophy, €2,500 and a comprehensive set of training and leisure gear. The chosen Hurler and Footballer of the Year each receive an Opel vehicle to the value of €25,000 in addition to the above.

Nominees for Opel GPA Hurling Team of the Year:

1. Brendan Cummins (Tipperary) / Donal Óg Cusack (Cork)/ PJ Ryan (Kilkenny)
2. Ollie Canning (Galway) / Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny) / Paddy Stapleton (Tipperary)
3. Tomás Brady (Dublin) / JJ Delaney (Kilkenny) / Eoin Cadogan (Cork)
4. Oisín Gough (Dublin) / Shane O'Neill (Cork) /Jackie Tyrrell (Kilkenny)
5. Declan Fanning (Tipperary) / Stephen Hiney (Dublin) / Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny)
6. John Lee (Galway)/ Conor O'Mahony (Tipperary) / Michael Walsh (Waterford)
7. Mark Foley (Limerick) / Padraic Maher (Tipperary) / John Tennyson (Kilkenny)
8/9. Seamus Hickey (Limerick) / Alan McCrabbe (Dublin) / Shane McGrath (Tipperary) /
Stephen Molumphy (Waterford) / Michael Rice (Kilkenny) / James Woodlock (Tipperary)
10. Eddie Brennan Kilkenny / Aonghus Callanan (Galway) / Ben O'Connor Cork
11. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary) /Martin Comerford (Kilkenny) / Cyril Donnellan (Galway)
12. Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny) /John O'Brien (Tipperary) / Andy Smith (Galway)
13. Noel McGrath (Tipperary) /John Mullane (Waterford) / David O'Callagan (Dublin)
14. Joe Canning (Galway) / Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) / Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)
15. Lar Corbett (Tipperary) / David Treacy (Dublin) / Eoin Kelly (Waterford)

Nominees for Opel GPA Player of the Year for Hurling:

Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Lar Corbett (Tipperary) and John Mullane (Waterford).

Daysha

I like how they try to set players with particular numbers, but the least they can do is get it right. Shefflin at 14? Brennan at 10? Kelly at 15?

premierstone

Daysha wrote: »

I like how they try to set players with particular numbers, but the least they can do is get it right. Shefflin at 14? Brennan at 10? Kelly at 15?

Agreed, I mean we all agree that the All-Star selection committee have gone too far the other way but you must have some flexibility and allow for the fact that some players will regularly switch positions throuhout the course of a match let alone the championship.

If as they claim they only select people in the actual place where they play why is Ollie Canning iin the wrong corner, and there are so many of hte forwards in the wrong position its a mess.

Also I am on record as saying that Alan McCrabbe deserves an all-star and that Hiney deserves a nomination but 6 nominations for Dublin, come on thats a bit much now, thats the same total as Limerick and Waterford together and they both reached the AI semi's

The two Galway wing forwards been nominated is surely a sick joke, they have the entire half forward line nominated yet couldnt supply Joe Canning with one decent ball all year. Cyrill Donnellan is the only one of them worth a nomination for he's performance against Killkenny but as we were to discover later in hte year this may have had more to do with Brian Hogan's deficencies than Donnellans own ability.

suitcasepink

Bit surprised Molumphy got in there, even though he was a right workhorse. Happy Eoin Kelly got his nomination too. Even thuogh he didnt play there all year...

Poor Joe hasnt a hope with Shefflin in 14!

I'd love to see one where they were nominated into their real postions. I know Shefflin was moved into full forward for some and part of games but he was half forward this year.

premierstone

deise_girl wrote: »

Poor Joe hasnt a hope with Shefflin in 14! .

Based on this years inter-county senior championship and league - Joe wouldnt get one if he was nominated on he's own tbh.

suitcasepink

premierstone wrote: »

Based on this years inter-county senior championship and league - Joe wouldnt get one if he was nominated on he's own tbh.

But then think of it this way. Would you rather a gap in number 14 or a hurelr who can score goals, points, frees from half way, sidelines, only 20!!
To be fair and speaking as nuetral as I can I'd pick having Canning on my team to many others. Prefer him to Noel Mcgrath, eoin kelly(wat) etc..

And of course he's just brillient

adrian522

Looks to me like they picked their preferred team and built the nominations around that!!

PS think you're being a bit harsh on Brian Hogan, He was injusred in the league final and didn't play again till the AI semi final....

premierstone

adrian522 wrote: »

Looks to me like they picked their preferred team and built the nominations around that!!

PS think you're being a bit harsh on Brian Hogan, He was injusred in the league final and didn't play again till the AI semi final....

Yes apologies forgot that he wasnt playing in the Galway game, but in fairness he was destroyed in the AI two different players scored three points from play off him.

Pride Fighter

Lots of Dubs there, great to see. Could get 2 Dubs on this team, we only have a chance of 1 in the All Stars.

adrian522

premierstone wrote: »

Yes apologies forgot that he wasnt playing in the Galway game, but in fairness he was destroyed in the AI two different players scored three points from play off him.

Not sure that there were 6 points scored off him directly, after all tipp only scored 10 points from play (I think).

He certainly had a shaky start but I thought he settled into the game afterwards.

It will be interesting to see how the HB line works out next year, we may see tennysson line out at 6 if Hickey comes back to FB but you never know what cody would do.

personally I think Hogan is the best Centre back we have.

premierstone

adrian522 wrote: »

Not sure that there were 6 points scored off him directly, after all tipp only scored 10 points from play (I think).

He certainly had a shaky start but I thought he settled into the game afterwards.

It will be interesting to see how the HB line works out next year, we may see tennysson line out at 6 if Hickey comes back to FB but you never know what cody would do.

personally I think Hogan is the best Centre back we have.

Tipp got 13 from play and Larry got three off hogan in the first half and Callinan got three in the second half.

Personally I wouldnt have Hogan on the team if all are fit and well, ye have JJ to come back out on the wing and I would have Tennyson over Hogan but it is only a marginal call and of course theres John Dalton as cover for the wing aswell - its not fair really

Although if Pat Kerwick was as accurate as Callinan and Corbett Tennyson would have been taken to the cleaners as well, Kerwick actually won an amount of ball off him, but I think myself that Tennyson is like our own Padraic Maher in that they are 100% better hurlers when playing down hte middle either FB or CB, I actually seen Tennyson playing in a club AI against my own club a few years back and he gave one of the most amazing displays that day and it wasnt untill he hurt he's shoulder that we got two late goals to snatch the game, he was soo good that day I actually felt sorry for him just a little mind you!!

An Citeog

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Lots of Dubs there, great to see. Could get 2 Dubs on this team, we only have a chance of 1 in the All Stars.

The only other player apart from McCrabbe who would have had a half chance given the competition for their position is Tomo Brady at full back but he wont get one on the back of his display against Limerick.

premierstone

An Citeog wrote: »

The only other player apart from McCrabbe who would have had a half chance given the competition for their position is Tomo Brady at full back but he wont get one on the back of his display against Limerick.

Agreed, actually that performance against Limerick really was bafelling and he made me look like abit of a fool, all the old boys in the local were kind of being a bit patronising about the Dubs but I was telling them they were a very good team and I mentioned McCrabbe, Hiney, Treacey, Dotsie and Brady and even went as far as saying at that time Brady had been the best FB in the country this year, and then he went and got cleaned by a very poor Limerick FF line.

village runner

premierstone wrote: »

Yes apologies forgot that he wasnt playing in the Galway game, but in fairness he was destroyed in the AI two different players scored three points from play off him.

He still lasted 70 minutes in both games. With 3 all Ireland medals in a row on the field of play he cant be a bad hurler.
Go to Nowlan Park sunday and watch him lift his club side against Ballyhale Shamrocks.
With Tommy and JJ beside him for hte last 2 years07 and 08 he wont ever get the recognition he deserves. In my opinion he has nothing to prove. He won a 4th All Ireland medal and how he played in a semi or Final isnt that important. Kilkenny always say it. Its a 30 man panel and they mean it.

premierstone

village runner wrote: »

He still lasted 70 minutes in both games. With 3 all Ireland medals in a row on the field of play he cant be a bad hurler.
Go to Nowlan Park sunday and watch him lift his club side against Ballyhale Shamrocks.
With Tommy and JJ beside him for hte last 2 years07 and 08 he wont ever get the recognition he deserves. In my opinion he has nothing to prove. He won a 4th All Ireland medal and how he played in a semi or Final isnt that important. Kilkenny always say it. Its a 30 man panel and they mean it.

I dont see the relevance of this to be honest and quite frankly if Tipp had won that game as they should have, serious questions would have been asked of Cody's decisions some of which were extremely dodgy on the day, but because they won everyone seems to have glossed over it.

I honestly can't remember the last centre-back in an all ireland who had six points from play scored off him and if it wasnt for PJ ryan it would have been 1-6, I am by no means suggesting he is a bad hurler just that he was clearly off form last season and should not have lasted 70 minutes in the AI final, its actually further testament to KK that they managed to win the AI without their CB pucking a ball all day.

adrian522

premierstone wrote: »

I dont see the relevance of this to be honest and quite frankly if Tipp had won that game as they should have, serious questions would have been asked of Cody's decisions some of which were extremely dodgy on the day, but because they won everyone seems to have glossed over it.

I honestly can't remember the last centre-back in an all ireland who had six points from play scored off him and if it wasnt for PJ ryan it would have been 1-6, I am by no means suggesting he is a bad hurler just that he was clearly off form last season and should not have lasted 70 minutes in the AI final, its actually further testament to KK that they managed to win the AI without their CB pucking a ball all day.

interesting post. Don't know what decisions of Cody you are questioning. I think they made the right changes at the right time.

I think to be fair to hogan he only had 1 game prior to the all Ireland after a fairly serious injury. Tennysson is a great hurler but I agree he's not very suited to the wing. It will be between himself and hogan to battle it out for number 6. I wouldn't see either of them as great full backs at the moment. My money would still be on Hogan starting CB next year. I'd like to see Dalton get a good run of games next year as he's good enough to be starting in the championship.

premierstone

adrian522 wrote: »

interesting post. Don't know what decisions of Cody you are questioning. I think they made the right changes at the right time.

A few really, Kavanagh and Hogan had nightmares and were both left unchanged, Kavanagh didnt hit a ball untill he was the free man and at that he was directly at fault for a point while the free man, not making a change in midfield earlier when they were really struggling there, and not starting Comerford and starting Fogarty who had done very little all year.

Look dont get me wrong I think Cody is one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen but I do think he had the rub of the green this year and made some questionable decisions, Sheedy also made some catostrohic blunders aswell but lets not go there

adrian522

premierstone wrote: »

A few really, Kavanagh and Hogan had nightmares and were both left unchanged, Kavanagh didnt hit a ball untill he was the free man and at that he was directly at fault for a point while the free man, not making a change in midfield earlier when they were really struggling there, and not starting Comerford and starting Fogarty who had done very little all year.

Look dont get me wrong I think Cody is one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen but I do think he had the rub of the green this year and made some questionable decisions, Sheedy also made some catostrohic blunders aswell but lets not go there

Looks like I'll have to watch the match again

Don't remember thinking that Kavanagh was in trouble. Was more concerned about Power and though he might have been replaced instead of R. Hogan.

Midfield - Rice was doing well, thought Cha would have been the one to come on but Fennelly did well and scored a point.

Don't think you could say Fogarty wasn't worth his place, before the all ireland he had scored in every game he had played for Kilkenny.

Leaving out Comerford was a surprise but I think he was right to start Hogan. Certainly Kilkenny got a bit of luck on the day but you need that to win AI's especially when you have a team on the road for that long.

Anyway that's all in the past now, already looking forward to the NHL next year....

How is the Tipp County championship looking, when is the final on?

premierstone

adrian522 wrote: »

.How is the Tipp County championship looking, when is the final on?

Sunday week its Thurles Sarsfields V Drom and Inch tough one to calll Drom are unbeaten this year and also beat Toom in the semi but still Thurles for my money should do it.

Both squads are littered with inter-county men Thurles have Padraic Maher, Michael Cahill, Pa Bourke and Lar Corbett from this years Tipp panel, whereas Drom have Seamus Callinan, James Woodlock, and Eamonn Buckely -although buckley is out injured for the final. Both teams are also full of former county players, at senior minor and u-21 level, Thurles in particular.

suitcasepink

Whos going to get number 13?? Noel McGrath or John Mullane.. I think they both deserve them so I havn't a clue who'll get it, maybe Noel?

An Citeog

deise_girl wrote: »

Whos going to get number 13?? Noel McGrath or John Mullane.. I think they both deserve them so I havn't a clue who'll get it, maybe Noel?

Mullane got nominated for hoty and although he wont win it, he'll definitely get the corner forward spot.

monosharp

adrian522 wrote: »

Nominees for Opel GPA Hurling Team of the Year:

1. Brendan Cummins (Tipperary) / Donal Óg Cusack (Cork)/ PJ Ryan (Kilkenny)

Why ?

Oh wait its the GPA awards ? That explains it then. He'll still be getting nominated well into retirement. :pac:

premierstone

monosharp wrote: »

Why ?

Oh wait its the GPA awards ? That explains it then. He'll still be getting nominated well into retirement. :pac:

While I am by no means a fan of the guy but who else is there?? He made two good saves against Tipp and one I remember against Galway there was no other outstanding keeper in fairness.

suitcasepink

He had one great save against Galway. Until Pj's save in the semi,,,(then the final of course) I thought that was the best all year.

LeoB

monosharp wrote: »

Why ?

Oh wait its the GPA awards ? That explains it then. He'll still be getting nominated well into retirement. :pac:

Yes you got it the G.P.A awards. Donal Og would be third choice of the keepers. P.J. Ryan me thinks will get the award.
With Dessie as chairman/chief executive how do you think we got 6 nominations in Dublin. McCrabbe should get an award and possibly Stephen Hiney. I also think David Tracey will go close but thats it.

I dont think Mullane will get spot on team. McGrath had a better year and bigger influance on championship.

Micheal Kavenagh had what I thought was his worst ever game for Kilkenny. While he lacks pace he was all over the place in the final. Just one of thoes days. He had a fairly good year tho'. What an ambassador for hurling.