We select our best XV from a weekend that saw league and championship action overlap for the one and only time this year.

1. Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny): The young 'keeper has impressed throughout the league and kept another clean sheet as Kilkenny beat Tipp in Nowlan Park.

2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny): The two-time All Star was as solid as ever as the Cats defence squeezed the life out of the Tipperary attack.

3. Paul Curran (Tipperary): Not too many full backs have restricted Richie Hogan to a solitary point in this year's Allianz League, but Curran managed to keep the Danesfort man quiet for nearly all of yesterday's league decider.

4. Jackie Tyrrell (Kilkenny): The vastly-experienced defender gave little away in another highly effective display in his home city.

5. Conor O'Mahony (Tipperary): The Newport man was the pick of the Tipp half back line. Given the problems Padraic Maher encountered against Michael Fennelly yesterday, a return to number six could be in the offing for O'Mahony.

6. Brian Hogan (Kilkenny): Another towering performance from the former captain, who completely dominated his duel with Lar Corbett.

7. Jackson McGreevey (Antrim): The newcomer scored two points from wing back as Antrim avenged last year's defeat to Westmeath.

8. Lester Ryan (Kilkenny): There's going to be some competition for places in the Kilkenny midfield come the championship thanks to this man's impact this spring. Rounded off a fantastic campaign with three more points from play.

9. Brendan Maher (Tipperary): After their poor start, Maher steadied Tipp with a couple of fine points and finished as their top-scorer from play with 0-4.

10. Eoin Price (Westmeath): The Lake County captain lined out at midfield against Antrim, but we've accommodated him at wing forward after his four-point haul and tireless display at Cusack Park.

11. Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny): Switched from midfield before the throw-in, the returning Fennelly caught Tipp cold with a brilliant 2-3 salvo in the opening half which earned him the man of the match award.

12. Neil McManus (Antrim): The skipper's 2-4 was the difference between Antrim and Westmeath in their Leinster SHC opener.

13. Shane McNaughton (Antrim): The Cushendall clubman was a constant thorn in the side of the Westmeath defence, finishing with 0-5 (0-2 from play) to his credit.

14. Gerry Keegan (Kildare): Fired over 0-7 from play as the Lilywhites opened their Christy Ring Cup campaign with a 1-23 to 0-16 victory over Mayo.

15. Noel McGrath (Tipperary): McGrath, who posted 0-3 from play, was the only Tipp starting forward to finish the game against Kilkenny. Tweet

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