GAA.ie Hurling Team of the last 25 years

[Dag Dog]

GAA.ie Hurling Team of the last 25 years

By John Harrington

We're quarter of the way through this hurling century so it's perhaps timely to attempt to pick a team of it so far.

The last 25 years has been a golden era for hurling with a stellar cast of players and shoe-horning the best of the best into a 26-man panel was a ridiculously tough task, much less settling on a starting XV.

The competition for places was such that nine of the 25 Hurlers of the Year from 2000 to 2024 didn't make the cut for the final 26.

Hard calls were made and some players missed out by wafer-thin margins. You might find it easy to think of a player you believe should have been included in the below list but deciding who to drop in their favour will surely give you pause for thought.

1: Nickie Quaid (Limerick)

Nickie Quaid has arguably been the most important player for Limerick during their fun of five All-Ireland titles in the last seven years. His distribution is the best of any goalkeeper we've ever seen, and he has a deep catalogue of brilliant saves too.

2: Sean Finn (Limerick)

The four All-Stars in a row he won from 2018 to 2021 testified to Finn's consistency. His physicality, pace, stickiness, and ability to hurl from the front makes him a nightmare proposition for opposition corner-forwards.

3: Diarmuid O'Sullivan (Cork)

'The Rock' was the most inspirational figure in the All-Ireland winning Cork teams of 2004 and 2005. The four-time All-Star was a colossus on the edge of the square and his ability to win hard ball and drive out the field with it lifted team-mates and supporters alike.

4: JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)

The classiest stickman in this defence, Delaney was such a consummate hurler he was as comfortable in the full-back line as he was the half-back line. A great reader of the game, he had a knack for being in the right place at the right time and his timing made him one of best hookers and blockers the game has seen.

5: Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny)

Very few hurlers have had the ability to raise the decibels in a stadium like Walsh could. The nine-time All-Star was a spectacular hurler who inspired those around him thanks to his ability to win hard ball and then put his team on the front foot by sallying out of defence with it.

6: Declan Hannon (Limerick)

The only player to ever captain a county to four All-Ireland titles, Declan Hannon has been a hugely influential presence at centre-back for Limerick. His ability to read the game sees him hoover up possession and his distribution is excellent.

7: Padraic Maher (Tipperary)

The six-time All-Star was a force of nature in the Tipperary defence during his 13-year inter-county career. Hugely physical and a tremendous hurler, his bursts from defence and ability to take a score made him a Premier county fan favourite.

8: Tony Kelly (Clare)

Tony Kelly is the greatest Clare hurler of all time. His combination of skill, speed, bravery, and lethal finishing make him something very special. The goal he scored in this year's All-Ireland Final will forever be remembered as one the best ever to grace the biggest day of all.

9: Cian Lynch (Limerick)

Cian Lynch is another man with magic in his wrist. His skill and vision in tight spaces and make the two time Hurler of the Year a joy to watch.

10: TJ Reid (Kilkenny)

Second in the all-time championship top-scorers list, TJ Reid's ability to win ball and finish clinically makes him one of the greatest forwards in the history of the game. His longevity has been remarkable too.

11: Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)

Henry Shefflin won more All-Stars (11) than any other player and is the only player to be crowned Hurler of the Year on three occasions. A powerful and accurate forward, he was the key cog in the Kilkenny machine that won 10 All-Ireland titles.

12: Joe Canning (Galway)

Third on the all-time championship top scorer list, Canning was a unique combination of athleticism and pure skill. He had a flair for the spectacular that few players have come close to.

13: Patrick Horgan (Cork)

Patrick Horgan is the most prolific scorer in the history of championship hurling, a feat all the more laudable considering the Rebels haven't won an All-Ireland title during his 17 years as an inter-county hurler. His ability to snipe points from tight angles is something special.

14: Seamus Callanan (Tipperary)

Seamus Callanan scored 40 championship goals, a feat only better by Wexford legend Nickey Rackard. Incredibly skilful for such a big man and a lethal finisher.

15: Eoin Kelly (Tipperary)

Kelly's ability to make space for a score when none seemed available was unrivalled. Both skilful and physically powerful, if he got the ball in his hand it usually ended in a score.

16: Brendan Cummins (Tipperary)

Five-time All-Star Brendan Cummins was one of the greatest shot-stoppers in the history of the game.

17: Barry Nash (Limerick)

Barry Nash has redefined the corner-back position thanks to his distribution and ability to join the attack.

18: Ollie Canning (Galway)

Ollie Canning was the prototype modern corner-back who was skilful enough to hurl his man from the front and create as well as destroy.

19: Daithi Burke (Galway)

Five-time All-Star Daithi Burke has been the best full-back of his era. Ferociously strong in the tackle and a brilliant ball-winner.

20: Ken McGrath (Waterford)

Unlucky not to make the starting XV at centre-back, McGrath in his pomp was as swashbuckling defender who lifted the crowd with his ability to win ball and put his team on the front foot.

21: Sean Óg Ó hAilpín (Cork)

Sean Óg hAilpín was an absolute specimen of an athlete and a nightmare for opposition half-forward thanks to his man-marking instincts.

22: Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)

The 2011 Hurler of the Year was a monster of a midfielder in his pomp, combining huge physicality with a great hurling brain.

23: Lee Chin (Wexford)

There's very little Lee Chin can't do on a hurling field. A very physically powerful ball-winner and clinical finisher.

24: Gearoid Hegarty (Limerick)

The four-time All-Star and 2020 Hurler of the Year is a unique mixture of size and skill who's unstoppable when at full throttle

25: Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)

Richie Hogan made the game look easy thanks to the magic in his wrists. His skill was complemented by a ferocious will to win.

26: Aaron Gillane (Limerick)

Limerick's best forward during their era of dominance, Gillane's ball-winning ability and clinical finishing make him a nightmare to mark for defenders.


https://www.gaa.ie/article/gaa-ie-hurling-team-of-the-last-25-years

[Dag Dog]

Diarmuid O'Sullivan at 3. Not a hope. A great man to throw shapes for the camera.

Kyle Hayes is miles ahead of Sean Óg.

Lee Chin should be nowhere near the subs either.

[Ash Smoker]

Huge Cork bias. Take out the frees and Pat Horgan is not an elite forward.

[Milltown Row2]

That is some half forward line!

And Aaron Gillane is not a number 26 on any team sheet

[Dag Dog]

Huge Cork bias. Take out the frees and Pat Horgan is not an elite forward.

I'd have Mullane in there ahead of Horgan all day long.

[gallsman]

Was ready to complain about a load of them but what's the point? JJ, Hayes and Paudie Maher could all have a shout at LHB. Same for half the positions probably

O'Sullivan shouldn't be there at all. They've had to find a place for JJ so stuck him in the corner where I think he might have only played one season. Gillane should absolutely be there ahead of Eoin Kelly.

Disagree that Horgan isn't elite but nor should he be starting in that team

[Wildweasel74]

Burke better than the Rock at Fullback.

[Dag Dog]

Burke better than the Rock at Fullback.

The Rock shouldered a few lads though. That's enough to get him in the team.
He spent most of his career on strike.

[Armagh18]

Surely Gillane or Hegarty make the forward line? Not that many Limerick men considering their dominance.

Like these debates though, good to reminisce about some absolute quality footballers/hurlers.

[Don Cockburn]

Surely Gillane or Hegarty make the forward line? Not that many Limerick men considering their dominance.

Like these debates though, good to reminisce about some absolute quality footballers/hurlers.

I like the half forward line. The full forward line could be improved on.
Pat Horgan - No
Eoin Kelly - Maybe, but he rarely lived up to the hype.
Callanan - Yes, a class forward.

[Premier Emperor]

Eoin Kelly - Maybe, but he rarely lived up to the hype.

It's called injuries!
Kelly is one of the all-time greats.

[Premier Emperor]

the best 15 from 2000 to 2025 is:

Brendan Cummins
JJ Delaney
Philly Maher
Ollie Canning
Tommy Welsh
Pádraig Maher
Brendan Maher
Tony Kelly
Cian Lynch
TJ Reid
Henry Shefflin
Gearoid Hegarty
Lar Corbett
Seamus Callanan
Eoin Kelly

[johnnycool]

the best 15 from 2000 to 2025 is:

Brendan Cummins
JJ Delaney
Philly Maher
Ollie Canning
Tommy Welsh
Pádraig Maher
Brendan Maher
Tony Kelly
Cian Lynch
TJ Reid
Henry Shefflin
Gearoid Hegarty
Lar Corbett
Seamus Callanan
Eoin Kelly

I'd agree with you on Paudi Maher alright, Brendan is a 50/50 bet and Philly was some operator until he did the knee and he never really reached those levels again.
Eoin Kelly was a good a hurler around then, never saw thighs like he had, pure power and balance, he'd be in my team alright.

As for the much vaunted Cork half back line, the best all round hurler of the three was Ronan Curran who never gets mentioned in the same light as the other two but for me he was superb.

Seanie McMahon is still the king of centre backs in my living memory.

[Don Cockburn]

the best 15 from 2000 to 2025 is:

Brendan Cummins
JJ Delaney
Philly Maher
Ollie Canning
Tommy Welsh
Pádraig Maher
Brendan Maher
Tony Kelly
Cian Lynch
TJ Reid
Henry Shefflin
Gearoid Hegarty
Lar Corbett
Seamus Callanan
Eoin Kelly

It must kill you to have to put in players from outside Tipp!

[Truthsayer]

the best 15 from 2000 to 2025 is:

Brendan Cummins
JJ Delaney
Philly Maher
Ollie Canning
Tommy Welsh
Pádraig Maher
Brendan Maher
Tony Kelly
Cian Lynch
TJ Reid
Henry Shefflin
Gearoid Hegarty
Lar Corbett
Seamus Callanan
Eoin Kelly

Tipp full forward line! No Joe? 😅😆