Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - The Second of Two Corner Forwards
The second of two corner forwards on the 15 for 15, as voted by our judging panel, is Kilkenny's Eddie Brennan.
In Kilkenny's dominance of the sport over the last 15 years, Graigue Ballycallan's Eddie Brennan has played a major part.
He won the first of 8 All Ireland medals in 2000, scoring a goal when coming on as a sub against Offaly in the final.
And it was the scent of goal that marked Eddie Brennan in the green helmet as a player to watch.
He'd find the net against Limerick in the 2007 final.
He's punish Waterford with 2 goals in the 2008 decider.
In the 4 in a row season of '09, Brennan would pick 3 crucial points.
And his presence was felt in 2011, when he set up Richie Hogan for the winning goal against Tipperary.
Eddie Brennan, now a fixture on our TV screens, is a worthy inclusion as the final member of the team.
Congratulations to Fergal O'Sullivan who picked Eddie and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
That completes the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - The Best Full Forward
The best full forward of the past 15 years, as voited by our judging panel is Tipperary's Eoin Kelly.
In 2001 at 19 years of age Eoin Kelly would play a major role as the premier county when throughout the season unbeaten.Winning the National League and the Liam McCarthy Cup.
The Mullinahone Club man is one of the most naturally gifted strikers of the ball in the game.
He's been a consistent presence for Tipperary in good times and bad. So much so that he is expected to play some part in this Sundays All Ireland final against Kilkenny at Croke Park.
Back in that 2001 decider Kelly would score 7 points, his free taking a major asset for the blue and gold.
9 years later in 2010 he would captain Tipperary to the All Ireland title. Denying Kilkenny 5 in a row.
Eoin Kelly has always been there popping the Slitter over the bar.
He's been honoured with 6 All Star awards as a mark of his longevity at the top with Tipperary.
Congratulations to Grainne Rogers who picked Eoin and who has won the county jersey of her choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the second corner forward and final position 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - The First of Two Corner Forwards
The First of Two Corner Forwards on the 15 for 15 , as voted by our judging panel, is Waterford's John Mullane.
Have we seen a more passionate hurler in recent times than the De La Salle club man who gave blood, sweat and tears for The Déise cause?
With a Munster medal already in his pocket John Mullane announced himself on the hurling landscape with a Hat-trick of goals against Cork in the 2003 Munster championship.
He would come to dominate our summers, always mobile and hungry for the ball, scoring great points whenever in white and blue.
He had a real eye for the posts.
Mullane had honour, bravery, and a real connection with Port Láirge supporters.
John Mullane would win 4 Munster titles in 02, 04, 07 and 2010 in addition to 5 All Star Awards. And while a Celtic Cross would elude him, he played with heart and freedom, endearing him to all fans of the game.
Congratulations to Michelle McGrath who picked John and who has won the county jersey of her choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the Full Forward on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Left Half Forward
The best left half forward of the last 15 years, as voted by our judging panel, is Kilkenny's DJ Carey.
In the first year of the time frame for the 15 for 15, 1999, the sliotar came down from the sky in an All Ireland semi final between the Cats and Clare at Croke Park.
In a flash, the hand of DJ Carey caught it ahead of Brian Lohan, and the rest was history as he used his lightning pace to burst through and rifle the sliotar into the top corner.
The Dodger from Gowran was an assassin. He had no weaknesses. When he was in full flow, there was only one outcome. A green flag.
A year later in 2000, he would score 2-4 in the All Ireland final against Offaly, winning Hurler of the Year as the Brian Cody era began.
In 2002, his early goal was part of a tally of 1-6 against Clare in the decider, a game in which he scored an incredible point, carrying the sliotar on the hurl before lifting it and firing over the bar in one movement.
In 2003, DJ Carey had the honour of captaining Kilkenny as they defeated Cork in the final.
It was his 5th All Ireland senior medal.
DJ Carey would win 9 All Stars in a glittering inter county career, which never saw him receive a yellow or a red card.
He's assured of his place as one of the greatest hurlers of all time.
Congratulations to Alan Guilfoyle who picked DJ and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the first corner forward on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Centre Half Forward
The Centre Half Forward of the last 15 years as voted by our judging panel is Kilkenny's, Henry Shefflin.
The Ballyhales Shamrock club man was the unanimous choice of all of our listeners in this position. Henry Shefflin is, to put it simply, the greatest hurler of all time.
He's won 9 All Ireland senior hurling medals on the field of play and will set a new record if he collects his 10th should the Cats beat Tip in the 2014 final at Croke Park on Sunday.
King Henry has won more All Stars at Centre Half Forward than any other position. He's won 11 All Stars in total. A record.
The 35 year old has been hurler of the year 3 times. In 02, 06, and 2012. A record.
Henry Shefflin has scored 27 goals and 484 points in the All Ireland Hurling Championship. A record.
From his debut season in 1999, Shefflin has made 62 successive championship appearances for Kilkenny. As a hurler he has brought everything to the arena. Deadly accuracy, and eye for goal, physical strength, movement, composure and intelligent reading of the game.
As a sportsman, leader and role model he's been a credit to not only the GAA but also to the country.
Congratulations to Eddie Cox who picked Henry and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the Left Half Forward on the 15 for 15
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Best Right Half Forward
The best right half forward of the last 15 years, as voted by our judging panel, is Cork's Ben O'Connor.
Ben and Jerry are famous worldwide for their ice cream, but if you ask a Cork person who Ben and Jerry are, they are likely to say the O'Connors from Newtownshandrum.
Ben O'Connor was given his chance by Jimmy Barry Murphy as a 20 year old in 1999, and in his first season he played a big role as Cork won the All Ireland title.
By 2004, O'Connor was a leader in the team.
He scored 10 points in the All Ireland club final, and in September he lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup as captain when the Rebels outsmarted Kilkenny with a precise running game.
12 months later, Ben O'Connor produced a man of the match display as Cork retained the All Ireland, hitting 1-7 in the final defeat of Galway.
Quick and lethal, when supporters saw the number 10 in the black helmet in full flow, a score was never far away.
Ben O'Connor would retire in 2012 with 2 All Stars in addition to his 3 All Ireland medals, and a tally of 8 goals and 224 points in 51 Championship appearances.
Congratulations to Padraic Mullins who picked Ben and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
On Monday we will reveal the centre forward on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Second Midfielder
The second of two midfielders to make the 15 for 15, as voted by our judging panel, is Clare's Colin Lynch.
If hurling was war, you'd get the sense from watching his performances in the Saffron and Blue that Colin Lynch would be the last man standing.
A regular with the Banner until 2008, when the body gave way, Lisseycasey man Lynch, who hurled at club level with Eire Og and Kilmaley, was a powerful presence at centrefield.
He often carried Clare when they were finding their way in the post Ger Loughnane era.
There were epic performances - against Tipperary in 1999, against Galway in 2002, when he hit the winning point and won an All Star as Clare unexpectedly reached the Final, only to lose to Kilkenny.
Lynch would be a driving force again as Clare made the last 4 of the All Ireland series in 05 and 06.
A physical player, a ball winner, a machine at times, Colin Lynch was an inspiration to the young Clare supporters that would become inter county players and All Ireland champions in 2013.
Talent is one element, but dedication and fearlessness also make a team.
Congratulations to Seamus Molloy who picked Colin and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the right half forward on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - First Midfielder
The first of 2 midfielders to make the 15 for 15, as voted by our judging panel, is Kilkenny's Derek Lyng.
There's a quote which says: "The harder you work, the luckier you get."
And if there is one player who would fit that message over the last 15 years, it's Derek Lyng.
The Emeralds clubman from Urlingford didn't make the Kilkenny minor panel. He sat on the bench of the St Kieran's College senior team.
But by 2009, Lyng had won 6 All Ireland senior hurling medals.
He was 24 years in 2002, his first full year with Brian Cody's team.
In September of that year, he would help his team win the All Ireland title and finish with an All Star, one of two such awards he would receive.
As the engine of the Cats, Derek Lyng seemed to cover every blade of grass at Croke Park, but he was also not afraid to score points.
While other Kilkenny players would dominate the headlines, Derek Lyng's work rate and consistency was just as important as the black and amber dominated the sport.
Congratulations to Conor Ryan who picked Derek and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the second midfielder on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Best Left Half Back
The best left half back of the last 15 years, as voted by our judging panel, is Kilkenny's JJ Delaney.
To win Hurler of the Year at the age of 21 in 2003 is one thing.
To be going for a ninth All Ireland medal 11 years later is testament to the brilliance of Fenians defender JJ Delaney.
Brian Cody fast tracked him from minor level into the senior panel. He'd seen something special.
A brilliant reader of the game, JJ Delaney has everything. Athletic, great in the air, natural in blocking and hooking his opponent, good with distribution. A forward's nightmare.
JJ Delaney won his first 7 Celtic Crosses at wing back, and is now bossing the square ahead of this year's final against Tipperary.
The 32 year old has been honoured with 6 All Stars and while others may have higher profiles, he was one of the first names on our 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Best Centre Back
The best centre back of the last 15 years, as voted by our judging panel, is Waterford's Ken McGrath.
So Waterford never won an All Ireland senior hurling title. So what?
The inspirational Mount Sion clubman embodied the Deise's spirit, freedom and skill.
After making his inter county debut as a teenager in 1996, Ken McGrath would score 7 points from play in the 2002 Munster Final, as the Suirsiders ended a 39 year famine.
3 more provincial medals would follow.
Ken McGrath was everywhere as Waterford set the Championship ablaze in the last decade.
He picked up All Star awards in the half forward line in 2002, at midfield 2 years later, and at centre back in 2007.
'07 was the year that got away for Waterford, who beat Kilkenny in the League Final, won Munster, and then fell to Limerick at the penultimate hurdle.
The support of the GAA community for Ken following his health scare earlier this year was evidence of the esteem in which he is held as a hurling legend.
Congratulations to Donagh Keogh who picked Ken and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the left half back on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Best Right Half Back
The best right half back of the last 15 years, as voted by our judging panel, is Kilkenny's Tommy Walsh.
When we talk about the greatest hurlers of all time, Tommy Walsh has to be part of the conversation.
Easily recognisable by his red helmet, the Tullaroan clubman was in the All Ireland winning panel of 2002 before bursting onto the scene the following year, scoring three points in the final victory over Cork.
He would win an All Star in midfield that year, the first of nine successive All Stars awards, which is a record.
By the time Kilkenny began their 4 in a row charge in 2006, Walsh was firmly established in the half back line.
He has been one of the first names on Brian Cody's team sheet in arguably the best hurling team we have ever seen.
Tommy Walsh has immense skill, is great in the air, has finesse, is a natural ground hurler and his never say die competitiveness mirrors Kilkenny's will to win.
His hurler of the year award in 2009 was a fitting reward for his efforts in the black and amber.
Congratulations to Grainne Daly who picked Tommy and who has won the county jersey of her choice.
On Monday we will reveal the centre back on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Second Corner Back
The left corner back of the last 15 years, as voted by our judging panel, is Galway's Ollie Canning.
Canning is synonyms with the club Portumna.
He's the current All Ireland winning captain at club level, having collected his 4th medal in the grade back on St Patrick's Day.
Brother of Joe Canning, Ollie has won everything in the game apart from an All Ireland medal, losing finals with Galway in 2001 and 2005.
He's won a minor All Ireland. He's won an Under 21 All Ireland. He's won a National League.
After being converted from a forward to a corner back, Ollie Canning produced outstanding displays in the maroon and white during the noughties despite the Galway famine.
Ollie Canning is a natural hurler, a 4 time All Star, and now we see him on our screens as a TV pundit.
Congratulations to Una Evans who picked Ollie and who has won the county jersey of her choice.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Best Full BackThe best full back of the last 15 years, as voted by our judging panel, is Cork's Diarmuid O'Sullivan.
When you ask a GAA fan who "The Rock" is, they are not going to say Dwayne Johnson. They are going to say Diarmuid O'Sullivan.
The Rock is a legend on Leeside.
Captain of a National League winning team at the age of just 19, O'Sullivan was a natural leader, starring at full back when Cork ended a 9 year absence to win the All Ireland title in 1999.
The Cloyne clubman was part of a brilliant defence that would then win the Liam McCarthy Cup back to back in 2004 and 2005.
How many times did we see him burst out with the sliotar and make a brilliant clearance.
The Rock scored once of the greatest points of all time, a You Tube moment from 2001 when he shouldered Limerick's Jack Foley out of his way and in one movement, struck the ball over the bar from 100 yards.
A winner of 4 All Stars, Diarmuid O'Sullivan owned the square and is number 3 on our team.
Congratulations to Jerry Whelan who picked Diarmuid and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - First Corner Back
The first of two corner backs on the 15 for 15, as voted by our judging panel, is Kilkenny's Jackie Tyrrell.
The 'Village' is the nickname given to Kilkenny club James Stephens. It is the home club of Brian Cody.
In 2005 James Stephens won the County Championship and Jackie Tyrrell was nominated as captain of the Cats for the 2006 Inter County season.
Then, in September 2006, 24 year old Tyrrell walked up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect the Liam McCarthy Cup, as Kilkenny beat Cork to win the All Ireland senior hurling title.
Little did Jackie or any of us know that this would be the start of an incredible era, with Kilkenny winning 4 in a row and 6 out of 7 All Ireland titles.
A physically strong defender and a fine hurler, Jackie Tyrrell has won 6 All Ireland medals on the field of play and will bid for a seventh when Kilkenny meet Tipperary in this year's final on September 7th.
With 4 All Star Awards, he has been a huge part of the black and amber's success.
A coffee expert and an American Football fan, according to his Twitter page, Jackie Tyrrell is number 2 on our team.
Congratulations to Aidan Lawless who picked Jackie and who has won the county jersey of his choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the full back on the 15 for 15.
Introducing the Hurling 15 for 15 - Best Goalkeeper
The best goalkeeper of the last 15 years as voted by our judging panel is Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins.
In 2003, Kilkenny beat Tipperary in the All-Ireland Semi-Final but the main memory of that match is the flurry of outstanding saves by the Ballybacon-Grange goalkeeper. It was one day that encapsulated his devotion to the blue and gold jersey and what it represents.
Cummins played for 19 successful seasons with Tipperary. He was in goal for the All-Ireland win of 2001. He was in goal during the barren spells. He was in goal when the Liam McCarthy Cup was reclaimed in 2010. He was in goal.
He was always there as the last line of defence. A 5 time all star, Poc Fada champion, Brendan Cummins is number one on our team.
Congratulations to Carol Hynes who picked Brendan and who has won the county jersey of her choice.
Tomorrow we will reveal the right cornerback position on the 15 for 15.
Judging Panel
- DJ Carey – Kilkenny’s Hurler of the Year in 2000, 5 All Ireland senior medals, nine All Star awards
- Anthony Daly – Captain of Clare’s All Ireland winning teams of 1995 and 1997, manager of the Dublin team that won the 2013 Leinster title
- Joe Canning – 3 time All Star forward with Galway, All Ireland winner at minor, under 21 level and club level with Portumna
- John Allen – All Ireland winning manager with Cork in 2005, manager with the Limerick team that won the 2013 Munster title
- Matt Cooper – Presenter, ‘The Last Word’ on Today FM
- Paul Collins – Presenter, ‘Championship Sunday’ on Today FM
- Pat O’Brien – CEO Liberty Insurance
