Tony Considine picks his hurling All-Stars with three Cork players

Well the fat lady has sung for the last time this year, and she sang loudest of all in the Banner. 

This was an exciting championship, especially in Munster. Funny enough Clare and Cork lost their first-round games, you would have got a big price on both ending up in the All-Ireland final. 

They produced a game for the ages that will live long in the memory. Was it the greatest All Ireland of modern times? To Clare people it was anyway. 

But of course, there is no such thing as the perfect game. There were some poor passages of play, some bad wides, but things like that happen in a final.  Pressure, nerves, whatever you like to call it, it does happen. 

But as for entertainment, you would not get better in the world on a sporting occasion as big as this. We should be very grateful for the quality of men we have playing this great game. Sportsmanship of the highest order but I think All-Ireland final draws should go to a replay, as it is a very demanding occasion, both physically and mentally, not alone on the day but in the lead up to it, and all the hype that goes with it.

There were four main trophies up for grabs this year, won by Clare, Limerick and Kilkenny, and I tried to take that into account picking my All-Stars.

Goalkeeper: Eibhear Quilligan, Patrick Collins, Eoin Murphy and the man that I think should get the award, Nicky Quaid.

While the other keepers are very good, I'm going for consistency here. One of the main reasons why Limerick have been so successful. 

Corner-back: Adam Hogan, what a player he has been for Clare this year. Very consistent, great pace, very brave. 

He would mind mice at the crossroads for you. Tough as nails. Mike Casey and Niall O'Leary also in the equation.

Full-back: This was a hard position for me, as Eoin Downey and Conor Cleary both had very good years, but my man would be Huw Lawlor of Kilkenny, and outstanding athlete, and very good at minding his patch, and setting up attacks.

Corner-back: Conor Leen... what a year for this young Clare man, was not far off Man of the Match in the final. Strong and athletic, and reads the game very well.

Wing-back: Ciarán Joyce of Cork had a good year, but I have to give this to David McInerney of Clare. A tremendous leader, good in the air and on the ground. In my opinion Clare's best defender.

Centre-back: This was between two players, the Clare warrior John Conlon, and the man that I think changed Cork's year, Robert Downey, when he went to that position. He got some vital scores as well so just shades it.

Wing-back: I had this down between three players, Chris Crummy (Dublin), Diarmuid Ryan who had a fantastic year for Clare, and of course the great Kyle Hayes. Just giving the nod here to Limerick's main defender.

Midfield: I went for a Cork and Clare combination here. Darragh Fitzgibbon had a tremendous year and was one of the main reasons Cork made the All-Ireland and was also in line for the Hurler of the Year. 

The most under-rated player in Ireland Cathal Malone of Clare should partner him. Malone has a tremendous engine, his work rate is phenomenal, as he proved marking Fitzgibbon. 

Wing-forward: David Fitzgerald. The leading player for Clare in the league and in the running for the Hurler of the Year before he lost a little bit of form. He came good when it really mattered. A brilliant athlete and leading scorer from play in this year's championship. 

Centre-forward: Shane Barrett had a great run for Cork in his first full year. Donal Burke of Dublin got some great scores. 

The one man that really stood out for me was the great Tony Kelly. I don't think I need say any more about him at this stage, unlucky last year not to get one. One of the greats.

Wing-forward: The one man who stood out for Cork in every game was Seamus Harnedy. Great scores but above all great leadership. One of the main men.

Corner-forward: Brian Hayes had a very good campaign as did Eoin Cody. 

I couldn't leave out Aaron Gillane though. He nearly won the semi-final on his own for Limerick. He's a great score-getter, leader, and was their main weapon this year.

Full-forward: The most intelligent hurler in Ireland, apart from being a brilliant individual player, he is first and foremost a team player. The great Shane O'Donnell.

Corner-forward: The Young Player of the Year in 2023 has made further progress. One of the main forwards now in this Clare team, brilliant balance, very skillful, a brilliant finisher... Mark Rodgers.

So eight Clare hurlers, three each from Cork and Limerick and the Kilkenny full-back.

Shane O'Donnell is my pick for Player of the Year, Adam Hogan for Young Player of the Year, and Tony Kelly for Point of the Year and Goal of the Year.

See ye all next season!