Clare dominate Sunday Game Team of the Year, O'Donnell named Hurler of the Year
Clare’s Shane O'Donnell takes in the celebrations after beating Cork in the All-Ireland hurling final. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Seven players from All-Ireland champions Clare have been named on the Sunday Game's Team of the Year. There are also six from losing finalists Cork and two from Munster champions and losing All-Ireland semi-finalists Limerick.
Clare's Shane O'Donnell was also named the Sunday Game Hurler of the Year.
"Shane O'Donnell throughout the year was just phenomenal for Clare," said Joe Canning.
"Maybe (the final) wasn't his best day. I think he was carrying an injury in the second half with his shoulder.
"The stuff he was doing throughout the Munster championship, the quarter-final, semi-final and even today when the need was most in the first half, he was just brilliant.
"It's great to hear that he's going to being around next year and is not being an astronaut."
Anthony Daly added: "The concussion injury was really, really serious. There was a doubt about whether he'd work again. He couldn't do anything. His leadership over the last three years has been just incredible.
"If you were coaching, you'd be showing videos of how he goes about everything. The hands, the turns, the strength."
Brendan Cummins: He was really good through the round robin and in the All-Ireland semi-final. His puckouts, everything he does, his composure is at a high standard. The fact that he has high standards and he matches them every years is a credit to him.
Jackie Tyrrell: He had an outstanding year. He has everything you'd want in a corner-back - pace, power, and a lovely nastiness to him. He just gets up in a corner forward's face.
Jackie Tyrrell: We spoke about the problems Cork had at fullback. They are no more with this young guy. He was just peerless today and commanded that fullback position so well.
Jackie Tyrrell: This guy could one of the all-time great corner-backs for Clare. He was brilliant again today and had an outstanding year. He does things so easily. How he handed Patrick Horgan today was outstanding.
Anthony Daly: What a leader for Clare for well over a decade. His semi-final performance and again today [was great].
Anthony Daly: A troublesome position (for Cork) especially when Joyce got injured. He stepped in and was magnificent today. What a goal.
Anthony Daly: I've seldom ever seen a team target a wing-back to take him out of the game. He's so important that Cork nearly sacrificed Declan Dalton on the day to keep him out of the play. That will tell you how powerful a player he is.
Ursula Jacob: When Clare needed him most, he stood up. Just to think he wasn't there at the start of the year and he missed the (Munster) championship game against Cork.
Ursula Jacob: Blistering pace. He had a fantastic year overall. He came into the final as (Cork's third) top point scorer from play and chipped in with two points again today. His move to centre-forward was crucial for Cork. He had a really good influence on the game even when he moved in.
Shane Dowling: It was said at the end of the league that if there's a Hurler of the Year to be given, it would be David Fitzgerald. His form continued into the round robin stages of Munster and in the last few game.
Shane Dowling: He was exceptional all year. Early on (in the final) he got a couple of scores but then John Conlon got on top of him. He had a really good semi-final.
Shane Dowling: He's been exceptional this year. When Waterford beat Cork at the start of the year, there were many people calling for his head and Hoggie's head and a few more of the elder statesmen. Again, that night down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh against Limerick, the semi-final and again today were exceptional performances.
Joe Canning: He was consistent throughout the year. 1-3 in the All-Ireland final. What more could you ask?
Joe Canning: He had a phenomenal year. Every day he came out. He missed the league but I think more people will be trying to do that to perform.
Joe Canning: He was the find for Cork this year. He changed their year. He was the target man, the guy they went to with puckouts. He was the guy that two points again today.
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