How do Noreside’s finest match up to RTE’s Team of the Year
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
As the dust settles on the intercounty hurling scene, Kilkenny will go into an eleventh season without having had their hands on the big one, the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Our seniors exited the All-Ireland hurling championship at the semi-final stage, going down to eventual champions, Tipperary. We will review the season closer to 2026, but there is no doubt that there are many opinions on Noreside and beyond about how far the Cats are away from finding that midas touch at the top level.
Something that always stirs debate and chatter amongst hurling fans across the Island is the national broadcaster’s ‘Team of the Year’. While the Premier County were relaxing in the surroundings of their hotel in the capital, The Sunday Game’s analysts were discussing the XV players selected for this ‘award’. Obviously, the All-Stars and associated nominations will possibly hold more sway with the hurling fraternity, it’s topical to dissect RTE’s selections, pitting them against Kilkenny’s regular starting line-up. A quick overview, Tipp had seven players selected, while beaten finalists Cork had a quartet of stickmen picked. Galway and Dublin had one representative each which left two men from the Marble City completing the selection.
Goalkeeper
- Rhys Shelly (Tipperary)
The Moycarkey‑Borris clubman really came of age this season. Don’t forget he wasn’t first choice between the sticks at the start of the year, but the 23-year-old took the jersey from the experienced Barry Hogan and added much to Liam Cahill’s outfit. Shelly played ten championship games, scoring 0-3 and became the first netminder ever to score from play in an All-Ireland final.
Glenmore’s Eoin Murphy has been the Noresider’s goalkeeping custodian for more than ten years, and one of only three players still earning their stripes that have a celtic cross medal to their name. His legacy is built on years of consistency, legendary saves, and top-tier puck‑out strategy. ‘Scruff’ turns 35 in a couple of days and has Aidan Tallis and Dean Mason breathing down his neck.
Defence
- Robert Doyle (Tipperary) 3. Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny) 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Cork)
Inniscarra’s O’Donoghue had a great year in Rebel red while Clonoulty-Rossmore’s Doyle couldn’t be faulted as he was like a second skin on his man! Mikey Butler has been a standout man-marker in recent seasons but has probably not been at his usual standard in 2025. Personally, I thought Tommy Walsh was progressing well and doing ok, but The Sash man found himself replaced by Shane Murphy, possibly injury related. Huw Lawlor – the country’s greatest full-back over the past few years, and touch wood, for the next few also. He is the glue in the Cats rearguard and his ability to pluck the sliotar out of the sky is a serious asset to Kilkenny.
- Eoghan Connolly (Tipperary) 6. Ronan Maher (Tipperary) 7. Ciarán Joyce; (Cork).
Kilkenny know all about Cashel’s Connolly, he had a stormer in the semi-final win over us, knocking over scores into the bargain! Tipp captain Maher, solid, dependable, unflappable and dealt well with TJ’s threat during the last four clash. Castlemartyr’s Joyce was a real driving force for Cork and didn’t do much wrong all season.
Had the Cats have gotten over the line against Tipp, I feel that Mikey Carey would have been in the conversation for a half-back spot. His dynamism, athleticism and ability to notch scores, sets out the Young Ireland’s man as a quality hurler. Paddy Deegan, Richie Reid and David Blanchfield all had minutes in this line, but the Bennettsbridge man’s availability was hampered through injury.
Midfield
- Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork) 9. Cathal Mannion (Galway).
The engine room proved as crucial as ever in the battle for Liam. Charleville’s Fitzgibbon is a complete animal in this zone. His power, pace and scoring threat are all hard to stop and he kept going in the final even when his team’s race was run. No disrespect intended, but the Galway’s man’s inclusion in the team really baffled me. Tipp’s Willie Connors, Cork Tim O’Mahony anyone?
Another name I would throw into the mix is Cian Kenny. The Village star has had an outstanding year in the black and amber, putting club relegation aside and really performing for his county. His partner in crime in midfield, Jordan Molloy, another player who hurled really well for the Cats. Both our lads are different in build to the ‘big names’ in other sides and you sometimes hear that ‘cry’ from the fans, that we need a power horse in the middle. Fionan Mackessy perhaps?
Forwards
- Jake Morris (Tipperary) 11. Andrew Ormond (Tipperary) 12. Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin).
Another player that perhaps raised an eyebrow of two with his Sunday Game selection is Dublin’s Cian O’Sullivan. I know that the St Brigid’s man was top scorer from play in the championship and had a great individual performance in the surprise win over Limerick, ok, I am arguing against myself here! Andrew Ormond is a player that really caught the eye this season, getting through a mountain of work all over the pitch and troubling the scoreboard also. The final member of the half-forward line can’t be disputed. Jake Morris has reinvented himself and the fleet-footed Nenagh Éire Óg man has been sensational as The Premier County landed the ultimate prize in July. Henry Shefflin, when speaking of Morris’s selection as Hurler of the Year said ““I thought he was brilliant. I think Jake has become selfless in his game the amount of link-up play he does; the amount of dummy runs he does.” “He was a goal scorer up to now, he’s now become a fulcrum of that Tipp team.” You would be a brave man to argue with Mr. Shefflin!
The Cats have chopped and changed a little in this area. Adrian Mullen had a season interrupted by injury and looked a little off the pace against Tipp. The Shamrocks man is an unbelievable hurler and if he can get a good season under his belt, under Henry in Páirc Na Seamróg and more importantly, stay healthy, he’s top notch. Billy Ryan is another that had the Noresiders got a final appearance, would have been in the reckoning. Strong running, endless work rate and a scoring touch, the Graigue Ballycallan man is bubbling nicely and could be key next season. Our captain, John Donnelly put in his usual shift in stripes but will demand more of himself in 2026.
- Mossy Keoghan (Kilkenny) 14. John McGrath (Tipperary) 15. Brian Hayes (Cork).
Brian Hayes was one of Cork’s standout performers this season. The St Finbarr’s player was a real handful for defenders and loved to notch a goal or two. The second coming of John McGrath proved to be a vital asset in Tipp’s rise to the top in ’25. The Loughmore-Castleiney man was influential in everything Cahill’s men did good. Notching 2-2 in the decider was one of the main reasons the blue and gold clad men downed the Rebels. The third member of the inside forward line was none other than our own Martin Keoghan. The Tullaroan attacking star was one of the brightest lights in Derek Lyng’s side. Mossy was the 3rd highest scorer from play in the championship and weighed in with an impressive 8-38 over his thirteen appearances in stripes in 2025.
Two-time former Young Hurler of the Year, Eoin Cody sort of mirrored his Shamrocks clubmate Adrian Mullen’s stop-start campaign. Injury meant Kilkenny didn’t get the best out of Henry’s nephew, but like Mullen, Eoin will be back stronger and fitter next season. What can we say about TJ? Listen, the legend owes Kilkenny nothing. He was our top scorer in the championship and if he decides to stick around, there is a role for him. The likes of Luke Hogan, Gearoid Dunne, Billy Drennan and Harry Shine will all develop if TJ signs on again.
It will be interesting to see the All-Star nominations and see how close the pundit’s selections mirror the ‘definitive’ guide. For our players its club action this side of Christmas, and beyond if all goes well. Shamrocks Ballyhale and Bennettsbridge battled it out last night, with further action this weekend. Perhaps Henry will have explained the Sunday Game Team of the Year selections to those in attendance in Thomastown!
