Rebels won’t crowd All-Star banquet

As John Mullane can testify, All Star awards can provide some succour for beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists.

But just how many Cork players can honestly believe they have genuine claims to an autumnal gong? Before yesterday, Pa Cronin and Pat Horgan would have been among this writer’s chosen few but their performances against Galway are unlikely to be sufficient in keeping players from the remaining three counties out of the eventual team.

Certainly, Anthony Nash did himself no harm with a commanding display between the posts.

He, along with Cronin, Horgan, Paudie O’Sullivan, Shane O’Neill and perhaps Eoin Cadogan, look certain nominees but that could be about it.

Of course, they’re not in the game to rent out a tuxedo but they are at least some indication of progress when there is no tangible reward to show for the year.

And it’s been four years since Ben O’Connor was the last from the county to pick one up. As for Galway, Joe Canning and Damien Hayes can get rid of the mothballs on their monkey suits.

Johnny Coen is leading the reckoning as young hurler of the year with captain Fergal Moore and Cyril Donnellan also having major All Stars says.