My team of the Munster Club Championship
Superb against Na Piarsaigh in the semi-final, with several outstanding saves in the second half at a time when the Limerick men were threatening to steamroll them.
Outstanding defender. A good move by Na Piarsaigh to move him back from midfield and an even better move to delegate him to man-mark Niall Gilligan in the final. Can play anywhere in the defence.
One of the best full-backs I’ve seen in a long time. He’s also a very good centre-back, made for a central role, but showed his true worth against Na Piarsaigh when he had to go back to the edge of the square after Derek Bourke was sent off.
The Bridge captain led by example against Midleton in the semi-final win and gave Luke O’Farrell no space whatsoever. Did very well also in the final on a losing team when limiting Shane Dowling.
Had a great year. Played most of his hurling at centre-back but was wing-back on Sunday last in the Munster final where he was one of the few from the Bridge to hold his own all through.
No contest. Though David Kennedy impressed for Loughmore-Castleiney in the position, Breen is the outstanding candidate from this campaign. A canny move by Seán Stack to move him to centre-back where he has proven himself really comfortable facing the ball. A real option there for Limerick also.
A fine hurler, fine striker, good marker, but as is the case with the best of the modern wing-backs, well able to raid forward for a timely score also.
He wore 13 in every game but this was his position all year. Really coming back to form, delivering on the huge potential he showed as a minor. Very influential in Sixmilebridge’s win against Midleton.
One of the most prominent players Na Piarsaigh have had for a few years now, performs at a consistently high level and did so again on Sunday with two fine points in the second half. Can play in the defence or attack also.
Played much of the year at centre-forward but equally comfortable on the wing. A fine athlete, good stickwork, good speed, has developed well from the player who won an All-Ireland U21 medal with Clare last year. Will be pushing for asenior place next year.
Absolutely brilliant in Loughmore’s loss against Na Piarsaigh in the quarter-final, the best club player I saw this year, by a distance. Is in superb shape, the go-to guy for his club and delivered time and again.
Conor Lehane isn’t just from Midleton, he IS Midleton and he was the reason they even got to play in the Munster club championship. Will be a huge star in this game for many years to come.
Another McGrath, another great finisher, another great go-to man, young and all as he is. For his own sake though, for Tipperary’s sake, I’d love to see him concentrate just on the hurling.
Kevin slipped a little in the last couple of years but he’s back to his best, was the main reason Na Piarsaigh made it to a Munster final. He will be a force for Limerick next year.
Great pace, great control, goes for the jugular every time — exactly what you’d expect to see in a corner-forward. The youngest of the Breen brothers, he’s another that will be pushing for a place with Limerick seniors next year.
