Paul Flynn wins hurler of year

WATERFORD’S most prolific scoring forward of the past decade, Ballygunner’s Paul Flynn, has been named the county hurler of the year.

Though ruled out of the county final through suspension after dismissal in a torrid semi-final against Lismore, Flynn has been superb at both club and county level throughout the year.

He starred in Waterford’s thrilling victory over Cork in the Munster final, and despite the All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Kilkenny, his 13-point haul earned him the RTE “Man Of The Match” accolade.

A former winner of the county award, the Gunners ace had to stave off stiff opposition from Waterford’s skipper Ken McGrath and his Mount Sion clubmate Tony Browne.

The football honour has gone to Stradbally’s inspirational captain Ger Power, who led his side to a fourth successive SFC title and was superb in their subsequent Munster club championship campaign.

This is Power’s first such award and he is favourite to be the Waterford skipper next season.

Stradbally has also been named club of the year ahead of the other leading contenders Mount Sion and Abbeyside/Ballinacourty.

The ‘young hurler of the year’ is Abbeyside’s Mark Fives, while the football honour has gone to Kevin Moran of De La Salle, who is rated the most exciting prospect in the code the county has thrown up in a generation.

All the awards will be presented by the newly elected county chairman, Pat Flynn, at a special function next month.