Final chance to impress for Star players

SELECTING the outstanding individuals in their positions before the final is very difficult — and highly subjective at any time of the year, come to that.

Kilkenny and Tipperary, the two top teams in the country, deservedly get most of the slots. Rookie keeper David Herity (Kilkenny) gets the nod in goal. He has made some smart saves and looked very tidy around the goalmouth. Long-serving Brendan Cummins (Tipperary) didn’t get enough to do all year but Sunday’s final might determine who is the best.

Paul Curran (Tipp) is my full-back — he hasn’t put a foot wrong defensively so far. Paul Murphy (KK) has been the stand-out right corner-back, while on the other side I nominate Niall Corcoran (Dublin). He normally plays at two but has been consistent all year and was outstanding on the left against Tipp in the semi-final. Arguments could be made for Tom Condon of Limerick or Waterford’s Noel Connors here, while Peter Kelly of Dublin would have supporters for the full-back position.