Cork dominate Munster all-star selections

The 2006 selections for the Waterford Crystal-sponsored Munster Hurling and Football All-Stars have predictably been dominated by Cork, the reigning provincial champions in both codes.

Thu, 10 Aug, 2006 - 19:18

The 2006 selections for the Waterford Crystal-sponsored Munster Hurling and Football All-Stars have predictably been dominated by Cork, the reigning provincial champions in both codes.

The Rebel county boast six players on the hurling team, while seven Leesiders have made the football XV.

Cork's outstanding goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack, who turned in a man-of-the-match performance in last weekend's All-Ireland SHC semi-final defeat of Waterford, rocksteady centre back Ronan Curran and top scorer Joe Deane (0-26) have all been included.

SHC top scorer Eoin Kelly (3-38) is one of four Tipperary men to make the hurling selection, with two players each from All-Ireland semi-finalists Clare and Waterford and Limerick defender Mark Foley also on the team.

Deane and John Gardiner were two of Cork's five representatives in the All-Star side last year.

The football side contains Cork net minder Alan Quirke and three of his defenders, including the injured Graham Canty, as well as the Rebels' talismanic corner forward James Masters, who has scored 1-24 to date this summer.

Canty, Masters and Nicholas Murphy, who has a midfielder berth alongside Kerry's Darragh Ó’Sé, have retained their places from the 2005 team.

Kerry's contingent this year numbers four, three down on last year. Marc Ó’Sé, Aidan O'Mahony and midfielder-turned-full-forward Kieran Donaghy are all new inclusions.

Limerick defender Conor Mullane and forwards Gary Hurney (Waterford), Denis Russell (Clare) and Declan Browne (Tipperary) complete the football line-up.

A statement, issued this afternoon, confirmed that: "the players were chosen at the conclusion of the 2006 Munster championships on their performances in the championships and some qualifier games subsequent to their counties being beaten in the Munster championships.

"These awards will give recognition to many players who may not get National awards this year and whose counties did not attain success at national level."

2006 WATERFORD CRYSTAL MUNSTER HURLING ALL-STARS -

1. Dónal Óg Cusack, Cloyne, (Cork)

2. Paul Curran, Mullinahone, (Tipperary)

3. Tom Feeney, Ballyduff Upper, (Waterford)

4. Mark Foley, Adare, (Limerick)

5. John Gardiner, Na Piarsaigh, (Cork)

6. Ronan Curran, St. Finbarr’s, (Cork)

7. Eamonn Corcoran, J.K. Bracken’s, (Tipperary)

8. Tom Kenny, Grenagh, (Cork)

9. Jerry O’Connor, Newtownshandrum, (Cork)

10. Dan Shanahan, Lismore, (Waterford)

11. Tony Carmody, Inagh, (Clare)

12. Shane McGrath, Ballinahinch, (Tipperary)

13. Tony Griffin, Ballyea, (Clare)

14. Eoin Kelly, Mullinahone, (Tipperary)

15. Joe Deane, Killeagh, (Cork)

The Hurling Adjudicators: Donie Nealon, Tipperary, Eamon Cregan, Limerick, Phil Fanning, Waterford, Jim O’Sullivan, Irish Examiner, John O’Shaughnessy, (winner of Munster Council Media Award 2005)

2006 WATERFORD CRYSTAL MUNSTER FOOTBALL ALL-STARS -

1. Alan Quirke, Valley Rovers, (Cork)

2. Michael Prout, Shamrocks, (Cork)

3. Graham Canty, Bantry Blues, (Cork)

4. Marc Ó’Sé, An Ghaeltacht (Kerry)

5. Conor Mullane, St. Senan’s (Limerick)

6. Ger Spillane, Ballygarvan, (Cork)

7. Aidan O’Mahony, Rathmore, (Kerry)

8. Darragh Ó’Sé, An Ghaeltacht (Kerry)

9. Nicholas Murphy, Carrigaline, (Cork)

10. Seán O’Brien, Nemo Rangers, (Cork)

11. Gary Hurney, Ballinacourty, (Waterford)