Anthony Daly on All-Stars: Marginal calls but not too many were wronged 

Enjoy the night lads. Whether I won an award, or didn’t, I always made sure I did anyway. For me, that was nearly always the best part of the All-Stars.

ALL-STARS: Darragh O'Donovan, left and Aaron Gillane of Limerick celebrate after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

When I think back to when I won my first All-Star in 1994, one of my abiding memories of the night itself was being afflicted by a touch of imposter syndrome. Clare were well beaten in the Munster final and I remember thinking there were lads who didn’t get one, but who had played in an All-Ireland final, saying to themselves, ‘What’s he doing here, who is he?’ 

It’s a different time now. There isn’t knockout championship anymore but there is a very evident trend emerging from the All-Stars – you won’t get an All-Star anymore unless you play in an All-Ireland final, or have an exceptional season with your side reaching the last four.