Banner lead U21 team nominations

All-Ireland U21 hurling champions, Clare, have received 14 nominations for the inaugural Bord Gáis Energy team of the year.

Clare proved the dominant force of the championship, stringing back-to-back Munster and All-Ireland titles with consummate ease winning last month’s decider by 22 points. Among the shortlisted Clare hurlers are captain, Paul Flanagan, All-Ireland final man of the match, David O’Halloran and Saturday’s hat-trick hero Shane O’Donnell.

Gerry O’Connor and Donal Maloney’s team also lead the way in nominations for the Player of the Year award with senior stars David McInerney, Colm Galvin and Podge Collins all in the running.