GEAROID HEGARTY, STEPHEN Bennett and Tony Kelly are the three players nominated for the 2020 Hurler of the Year award.
Limerick All-Ireland winner Hegarty is considered the frontrunner for the top individual prize in hurling after a stunning campaign. Man-of-the-match in the All-Ireland final, Hegarty scored 0-7 in a dominant display as John Kiely’s side saw off the Deise.
The 26-year-old is the Treaty’s sole representative on the shortlist, with fellow wing-forward Tom Morrissey unlucky to miss out.
Waterford star Stephen Bennett finished as the championship’s top scorer with 1-54 to his name, which includes 1-10 in the All-Ireland semi-final and a 10-point haul in the decider.
Sharpshooter Kelly, the only former winner (2013) of the award to be nominated, makes the cut despite Clare only reaching the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
The Ballyea native was in sublime scoring form throughout the competition, firing 0-17 against Limerick and 1-15 versus Wexford. He finished just a point behind Bennett in the scoring charts.
Kelly was the sole holder of an All-Star between the trio prior to the 2020 season.
The Young Hurler of the Year award will be contested by a shortlist of Tipperary’s Jake Morris, Kilkenny’s Eoin Cody and Waterford’s Iarlaith Daly.
The nominees were decided by a panel of Gaelic Games media correspondents and the committee was chaired by GAA President John Horan. The award will be voted on exclusively by inter-county players.
Absolutely brilliant and seriously underrated player.
Delighted for Chris Henry but at 32 I don’t think his door was being knocked down with offers from elsewhere.
He’s Ulster through and through and gives everything he has on the pitch but surely his best days were pre the heart condition.
@Ian Frizzell. My understanding is that there were at least 3 other clubs after him. At 32 I would not write him off getting back into the Ireland set-up, dedicated and committed on and off the pitch. A bit of good news from the Ulster camp.
Unless there’s a serious amount of injuries he’s not getting back into the Irish side. The competition in the backrow is tough and we have some serious younger players coming through.
Let’s wait and see………
@Chris Mcdonnell:
He won’t get back in but that’s more about age profile than form. He’s been great for us this year. Our pack is a disaster – we have a good eight but, back row especially, the depth is shocking and we’ve had horrible injuries that have all but killed the season.
The difference between Ulster with Henry and Henderson compared with an Ulster with neither is extraordinary.
Completely Chris. No way he would get back unless a mountain of injuries occurred.
Henry still worth the money and his place in the side.
He produces the goods on a regular basis, unlike Roger Wilson, who now only has one gear and that’s reverse
Good to hear but need more back row option’s and a scrumhalf, Hart would have been a good starter but obviously the Munster bench must be more attractive for him.
Why do you think that Racing’s 3rd choice scrum half is good enough to start for Ulster ?
Because Ulster’s first choice is leaving and their second choice isn’t very good?
Because all ulster have is Paul Marshall… Hart would be perfect for them
Marmion?
No argument there.
Shows the ridiculous amount of depth Ireland have in the back-row that a guy like this can’t get a look in. Wouldn’t write him off though. Savage player.
A true gent on and off the pitch
Delighted with the news, a great player and friend who gives his all every time he runs out.