If the All Stars were picked today

1: Brendan Cummins (Tipperary, incumbent), David Herity (Kilkenny) and Gary Maguire (Dublin).

It being so close, and because Brendan already has a few on his mantelpiece, narrowing it to David and Gary. David could help his cause considerably with a good showing in the final, but going for Gary.

2: Paddy Stapleton (Tipperary), Niall Corcoran (Dublin), Paul Murphy (Kilkenny). These have been the three most consistent players in this position, the latter two especially so. Niall shades it, but as with David Herity, Paul could change that in the final.

3: Paul Curran (Tipperary), Peter Kelly (Dublin), Noel Hickey (Kilkenny). Nominations dominated by just three counties so far, and as in the other two positions, going again for the league champions, Dublin, and the versatile Kelly.

4: Noel Connors (Waterford), David Collins (Galway), Tom Condon (Limerick) — with Jackie Tyrell (Kilkenny) and Stephen McDonnell (Cork) also meriting mention. Very competitive position this, a few welcome new faces. David Collins gets it for his outstanding displays, even when Galway were very poor.

5: Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny). No apologies to anyone, Tommy is out on his own here. Again.

6: Conor O’Mahony (Tipperary), Brian Hogan (Kilkenny), Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh (Waterford). I know, Brick wasn’t at his best against Tipperary in the Munster final but he wasn’t in his best position either. Toss-up here at the moment between O’Mahony and Hogan, so the final will have a huge bearing. Picking Brian Hogan.

7: Just the one again, apologies to all others, to Gavin O’Mahony (Limerick) especially. Has to be Padraic Maher (Tipperary).

8 and 9: Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny), Liam Rushe (Dublin), Shane McGrath (Tipperary), John McCaffrey (Dublin), Kevin Moran (Waterford), Nicky O’Connell (Clare). Could have named half-a-dozen more here, all of about the same level but none as outstanding as the two chosen — Fennelly and Rushe.

10: Noel McGrath (Tipperary), Michael Rice (Kilkenny), John Conlan (Clare). Conlan really stepped up for Clare this year, Noel is the kind of guy you want in the trenches with you when the going gets toughest, and Rice is such a cerebral player, and so consistent. Final will play a major part here. For now, Noel McGrath.

11: Ryan O’Dwyer (Dublin), John Mullane (Waterford), Declan Hannon (Limerick). Okay, young Declan only appeared on a few occasions for Limerick, this being his Leaving Cert year, but is a star of the future. Of the other two, tough call, but going for John.

12: Conal Keaney (Dublin), Patrick Maher (Tipperary), Pauric Mahony (Waterford), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny). Really tough one this year in this position, four outstanding candidates, but going for Keaney on the basis of the impact he had for Dublin all season. Henry can still get it though!

13: Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), Dotsy O’Callaghan (Dublin), Colin Fennelly (Kilkenny), Damien Hayes (Galway). Again, tough call, but Eoin Kelly’s shooting from placed balls against Dublin, even when well held in general play, was outstanding, so gets the nod.

14: Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), Kevin Downes (Limerick), Paudie O’Sullivan (Cork), Shane Walsh (Waterford), Joe Canning (Galway), John O’Brien (Tipperary) — the list goes on! Really impressed with Paudie O’Sullivan’s progress this year, but going for Eoin.

15: Paul Ryan (Dublin), Patrick Horgan (Cork), Lar Corbett (Tipperary), Richie Hogan (Kilkenny), Conor McGrath (Clare). Again, an abundance of riches, but the gong has to go to Lar.