Cloud nine for superb Shefflin

HENRY SHEFFLIN broke new ground yesterday – and without swinging a hurley – by becoming the first player in the history of the All Stars to receive an award for a ninth year in a row.

The Kilkenny forward joins DJ Carey and Pat Spillane on nine awards in total but neither of those former greats managed such an unbroken run of recognition like the Ballyhale man who is now odds on to break into double figures before his career comes to a close.

Spillane was named six years in a row between 1976 and 1982 before a two-year hiatus and another hat-trick of appearances. Carey amassed five on the trot between 1991 and 1995 and the other four between 1997 and 2002.

“Henry Shefflin is truly an outstanding player and leader,” said GAA president Christy Cooney. “He is an icon within hurling and a leader on and off the field. He is an outstanding sportsman and is truly deserving of this achievement.”

Shefflin’s first award came back in 2000 and he missed out for the first and only time since then 12 months later when Charlie Carter was the lone Kilkenny man to make the grade. Yet, unique as Shefflin’s achievement is, it may only remain that way for one more year.

Also named on the 2009 vintage yesterday was his teammate Tommy Walsh who has made the annual XV seven years in a row having first made the grade back in 2003.

Walsh’s run is all the more remarkable for the fact that he has been picked in five different positions – left-corner back, right-half back, left-half back, midfield and left-half forward.

Equally welcome in Kilkenny will be the confirmation that PJ Ryan’s name is also on the teamsheet. Ryan is the first custodian from the county to be honoured since Michael Walsh in 1993.

All in all, there are six Kilkenny men on the team, compared to four from Tipperary, which may dilute the surprise felt by many in the Leinster county when the defeated All-Ireland finalists received a greater haul of nominations.

Three of Tipperary’s picks were so honoured for the first time but the absence of both Seamus Callinan and Eoin Kelly will undoubtedly be discussed in great length around the county in the coming days.

Kelly’s omission, in particular, will raise some eyebrows but the Mullinahone man missed out because of a difficult start to the campaign when he struggled for form and fitness and the debate on his candidacy did not drag on long.

One man who did make the cut this time around is Waterford’s John Mullane who was so controversially absent in 2008. The irony is, of course, that the De La Salle man’s displays were far better last year than this.

Interestingly, it is Mullane’s first award in six years and he is joined by fellow countyman Michael Walsh, who appears at centre-back between Walsh and Tipperary’s Conor O’Mahony. Walsh won his first two years ago as a midfielder.

Dublin’s encouraging season is duly recognised by Alan McCrabbe’s appearance alongside Kilkenny’s Michael Rice in what, it must be said, was not a standout year for midfielders.

Anthony Daly will no doubt feel that more of his players deserved the nod but, as it is, McCrabbe is the first Dublin hurler to make such a selection since Brian McMahon was also included as a midfielder in 1990.

The only other Dublin hurling All Star in the concept’s near 40-year history was Mick Bermingham who was one of the first 15 All-Star hurlers back in 1971.

This year’s side is completed by the two brothers from Portumna, Joe and Ollie Canning. The presence of siblings on such teams is no rarity. This is, in fact, the 10th time that it has happened on a hurling selection.

The first occurrence was back in 1974 when Wexford’s Martin Quigley appeared at centre-half forward and his brother Joe got the nod at right-full forward.

The last time was four years ago when Cork’s Jerry O’Connor lined out at midfield and Ben did likewise at right-half forward.

2009 Hurling All Star team: PJ Ryan (Kilkenny), Ollie Canning (Galway), Padraig Maher (Tipperary), Jackie Tyrrell (Kilkenny), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Michael Walsh (Waterford), Conor O’Mahony (Tipperary), Michael Rice (Kilkenny), Alan McCrabbe (Dublin), Lar Corbett (Tipperary), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), Noel McGrath (Tipperary), Joe Canning (Galway), John Mullane (Waterford).