Captain Ben’s omission unjust as twin peaks

THERE will never be unanimity of course, but at least 12 of those honoured last night would have been on pretty much any ballot taken in the hurling world at the conclusion of this year’s affairs.

Very few will argue with the choice of ’keeper Damien Fitzhenry, backs Wayne Sherlock, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Ronan Curran and Sean Óg Ó hAilpín, all of Cork, JJ Delaney of Kilkenny, Ken McGrath of Waterford (albeit at midfield in this team); midfielder Jerry O’Connor, forwards Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Dan Shanahan and Paul Flynn (Waterford). Both Niall McCarthy and Brian Corcoran of Cork will also prove popular choices.

Nevertheless, with only three, perhaps two, positions up for grabs, by omission and by commission the selectors have still managed to create at least two controversies.