The silly season is well and truly upon us now and the All Star selectors have sprung another surprise by failing to give Cork a single nomination in the list of hurling contenders for this year's team. For only the second time in the history of the All Star scheme Cork have been left empty-handed and while they will admit themselves they hadn't the best of years they will be annoyed that at least one of their players did not make the final cut. Outstanding full-back Diarmuid O'Sullivan, for instance, scored one of the greatest points of all time from over 110 yards out against Limerick and deserved, at the very least, a nomination on the strength of that alone. Against the Shannonsiders his personal duel with Brian Begley kept supporters on the edge of their seats. All-Ireland champions Tipperary, meanwhile, have fourteen in with a chance, including Brian O'Meara who was controversially sent off in the All-Ireland semi-final replay win over Wexford. Two of the team which started the decider against Galway, corner-back Thomas Costello and corner-forward Eugene O'Neill, don't figure. Defeated All-Ireland finalists Galway should be happy with eight while Kilkenny also have eight included. Wexford comes next with five while Munster rivals Clare, despite being knocked out in the first round like Cork, and Limerick have four apiece. Limerick will be disappointed at Ciaran Carey's absence, however. Waterford's Ken McGrath and Offaly's consistent midfielder Johnny Dooley make up the remainder of the short-list. The Eircell All Star hurling nominations for 2001 are: GOALKEEPERS - Brendan Cummins (Tipperary), Damien Fitzhenry (Wexford), James McGarry (Kilkenny) DEFENDERS - Philip Maher (Tipperary), Paul Ormond (Tipperary), Eamonn Corcoran (Tipperary), Paul Kelly (Tipperary), David Kennedy (Tipperary), Ollie Canning (Galway), Cathal Moore (Galway), Liam Hodgins (Galway), Sean McMahon (Clare), Frank Lohan (Clare), Brian Lohan (Clare), Darragh Ryan (Wexford), David O'Connor (Wexford), MIchael Kavanagh (Kilkenny), Philip Larkin (Kilkenny), Eamonn Kennedy (Kilkenny), Mark Foley (Limerick), Brian Geary (Limerick). MIDFIELDERS - Thomas Dunne (Tipperary), Eddie Enright (Tipperary), Larry O'Gorman (Wexford), Adrian Fenlon (Wexford), Richie Murray (Galway), Johnny Dooley (Offaly). FORWARDS - Mark O'Leary (Tipperary), Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), John Carroll (Tipperary), Brian O'Meara (Tipperary), Declan Ryan (Tipperary), Lar Corbett (Tipperary), Charlie Carter (Kilkenny), DJ Carey (Kilkenny), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), John Power (Kilkenny), Eugene Cloonan (Galway), Kevin Broderick (Galway), Mark Kerins (Galway), Alan Kerins (Galway), Brian Begley (Limerick), Ollie Moran (Limerick), Jamesie O'Connor (Clare), Ken McGrath (Waterford). Tweet

Most Read Stories