AS THE ALL-IRELAND senior hurling championship hit the business end of proceedings this weekend, there were some standout performances in Cork on Saturday and Thurles on Sunday.
Semple Stadium played host to a thriller between Limerick and Kilkenny, with the Treaty advancing to the semi-final with two points to spare at the death.
The Morrissey brothers from Ahane were immense, making major impacts throughout. Dan was superb in the half-back line, while Tom slotted over four points from play at the other end.
It was the defender who caught the eye of The Sunday Game panelists however, with Dan pipping his brother and Kilkenny’s Eoin Murphy to be named man-of-the match
Man of the Match Dan Morrissey beating his brother Tom to Sunday Game award. Rise to prominence of Dan indicative of overall continuing development of all Limerick players under John Kiely's management #GAA #LLSport #hurling
— Jerome O'Connell (@JeromeSport) July 15, 2018
Meanwhile on Saturday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Clare came out on top in the ‘Davy Derby’ and sealed a first return to Croke Park since 2013 with an impressive win over Fitzgerald’s Wexford.
A number of Clare players including Shane O’Donnell, Tony Kelly and John Conlon were on form but it was Cratloe’s Podge Collins who scooped the RTÉ man-of-the-match award as he finished with 0-2.
Do you agree with the two winners? Let us know.
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I thought Eoin Murphy was incredible yesterday and was a clear man of the match, without him Kilkenny would not have been in the match near the end. Pundits seem to pick the winning team most of the time.
Eoin Murphy has to get an all star for that performance alone
There were many worthy winners from both games, Eoin Murphy produced the greatest display of goalkeeping I’ve ever seen. That said Tom Morrissey put in a huge performance for Limerick.
Podge has been immense for Clare this year, his work rate was incredible, he’s back to his best after a few tough years. Tony Kelly is also a notable mention.
Eoin Murphy was MOTM yesterday by a distance.
As a kilkenny supporter, I know we’re out of the championship, but Eoin has also done enough in Kilkenny’s seven cship games to ensure he gets an allstar award come years end.
@sean de paore: He was top class but losing quarter finalists don’t get any all stars. Rightly or wrongly, that’s just the way it is. Many years Kilkenny got 9 all stars after only playing two serious matches so it works both ways.
@Mike: national league winners often do though so he’s in with a shout. The new format changes things too.
@Mike: many a year Waterford got all-stars and hurlers of the year an won sweet F-all aswell
@Philip McLoughlin: Ah they got to the semi final in those years to be fair. I’d like to think the new format will deliver all stars to players who consistently excelled in their province but I wouldn’t hold my breath. The two finalists will still hoover up 11 or 12 with the semi finalists getting the last 3 or 4.
@Mike: Brian Lohan was All-star full back in 1996 based on Clare’s single championship outing that year against Limerick.
I know that’s a bit mad, but there is no better keeper out there than Eoin Murphy, he’s probably going to go down as the greatest.
Eoin Murphy was man of match by a mile best keeper since Damien fitzhenry I think.
@Declan Breen: I’d say better, this guy has everything, cat like reflexes, superb ball skills, but his long range free taking and ability to attack the ball and launch an attack is a massive bonus.