‘A team that almost picked itself’

UNLIKE its football counterpart, the Vodafone All Star hurling team for 2010, announced live last night on RTE at a gala event in the Citywest, contained no real surprises.

In fact, said GAA president Christy Cooney, who chaired both selection meetings, it was a team that almost picked itself. “The whole process took only about 15 minutes, and you can see why – those are all quality players, all well-deserved.”

The selection is notable for the fact the record eight-in-a-row run of Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin came to an end. The Ballyhale star was well on course to extend his record, but an injury suffered in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Cork cost him dearly. Kilkenny do keep that run going, however, wing-back Tommy Walsh joining Henry on that record, the Tullaroan terrier winning his eighth in succession last night.