Hurling’s cream of the crop... so far

Tony Considine gives his view on the players to watch out for in the Hurling Championship campaign.

Goalkeeper: Colm Callanan (Galway)

I’ve always rated Colm as one of the best around but I seem to be almost on my own there. Very cool under pressure, good shot-stopper, intelligent use of the ball, he’s had an outstanding campaign and gives Galway a great presence and assurance in the goals.

Right-corner-back: Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)

The best backman in the country for the last few years, should have had an All Star last year. He has continued that form into this year’s league. Has everything — pace, power, hurling. A nightmare for any corner-forward.

Full-back: Peter Kelly (Dublin)

Not too many outstanding full-backs around at the moment, not too many teams who have settled on their own number three for the whole league, but this is my man. A hurling full-back, again with great pace but he’s also tough enough to man this position.

Left-corner-back: Michael Cahill(Tipperary)

Michael has featured on the wing as well but this is his best position and he’s back there now again for Tipperary. Was really missed when he was out with injury for a few games, he too has all the attributes you want for this position, pace again a major factor.

Right-half-back: Pádraig Walsh (Kilkenny)

I know he played more of his hurling at midfield but he’s been here now for a couple of games for Kilkenny and every time I see him he gets better. He’s tidy, he’s as tough as his brother, and he loves to come forward and score. What a find.

Centre-back: Brendan Maher (Tipperary)

A new position for him this year but since he moved into the number six jersey Tipperary have been a different team. Great hurler but also a great reader of the game, another man who likes to contribute a point or two. He’s been an inspirational choice as captain for this team.

Left-half-back: Patrick O’Connor (Clare)

He has appeared in a few games at centre-back but this guy is the complete hurler, can play anywhere and again, another man who knows how to split the opposition posts. Clare had a good league campaign, Patrick had a great league campaign.

Midfield: Richie Hogan (Kilkenny) and James Woodlock (Tipperary)

They were in opposition on Sunday but they’re actually two very different players. James is such an athlete, end to end player, does Trojan work at both ends of the field and can come in for the occasional score; Richie too is a good worker but in a different way, uses his deceptive power to great effect, an intelligent ball distributor but also a fine finisher.

Right-half-forward: Walter Walsh (Kilkenny)

Burst onto the scene two years ago at All-Ireland final time but has shown this year that he’s no one-season wonder. Huge man but what a stride, what pace! Has an awkward style in the way he catches the hurley — the same style as Aidan Fogarty — but by God he’s effective!

Centre-forward: Colin Fennelly (Kilkenny)

Another man who’s been a revelation. Forget his hat-trick against Tipperary in that big win in Nowlan Park, vital a contribution as that was, Colin has stepped forward this year, made this position his own. Always had pace but now he has power and aggression to go with it.

Left-half-forward: Danny Sutcliffe (Dublin)

Any county would love to have this guy but it’s Dublin’s good fortune that he plays in blue. Consistency is what you love in your wing-forwards, guys who work hard, get on the ball, and know how to finish. Danny has it all.

Right-corner-forward: Conor McGrath (Clare)

An All Star, in my book one of the finest hurlers in the game, Conor has maintained his form into 2014. A hat-trick of goals against Tipperary, take your eye off him for a moment and you pay a heavy price.

Full-forward: Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)

No contest, in fact I’d say he’s been the best forward in the league, possibly the best player. Has gotten stronger, taken responsibility not just for the frees but in open play also. Has size, pace and an eye for a score.

Left-corner-forward: Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)

Still has it. At this stage of his career he’d be entitled to take a break from league action, entitled even to take it easy in the games in which he plays. But that wouldn’t be Henry. He’s the master, showed it again in the semi-final with four outstanding points from play but also did so much more.