Team of the Championship | 2023 Limerick SHC Group Stages

The Limerick Senior Hurling Championships group stages came to a close over the weekend with six teams still in the hunt for the Daly Cup.

Thirty games are in the books with the last six standing in the 2023 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship. That number will drop to four this weekend with the quarter-finals to be played.

Defending champions Na Piarsaigh are joined in the semi-finals by Kilmallock with Doon, Mungret St Pauls, Ballybrown and Patrickswell hoping to join them on Sunday.

Before those quarters, we select our team of the championship and some who were unlucky to miss out.

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1. Goalkeeper

Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)

In his first full season since retiring from the inter county game, Barry Hennessy continued to excel for Kilmallock. Only conceded three goals in the entirety of the competition, two of those coming from former Limerick teammates Cian Lynch and Aaron Gillane while his puck outs are a constant weapon for the Balbec.

Missing out: Jason Gillane (Patrickswell)

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2. Corner Back

Ciaran McMahon (Kildimo Pallaskenry)

A difficult season for Kildimo Pallaskenry who suffered defeat in each of their games in group one of the SHC. However, one of the brightest sparks to emerge was the performances of Ciaran McMahon at corner back who not only did his defensive duties soundly but also got forward for a number of scores.

Evan O’Leary can’t count himself very unlucky to miss out on selection.

Missing out: Evan O’Leary (Ahane)

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3. Full Back

Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)

One of four players that made last year’s team that remains in situ for 2023. With the quality of full back of the highest order this campaign, Mike Casey remains the standard bearer in Limerick hurling.

Missing out: Matt O’Sullivan (Mungret St Pauls), Stevie O’Reilly (Ballybrown)

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4. Corner Back

Cormac Ryan (Doon)

In a Doon defence that is without each of their starting back six from last year’s semi-final, Cormac Ryan has been excellent in the corner of the East outfit. Brings an attacking edge to the position for a Doon side who have had to battle through the group stages.

Missing out: Ronan Lyons (Monaleen)

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5. Wing Back

Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh)

Played most of his hurling in the corner but is shifted to wing as a certainty to make this team. Has grown considerably over the last 18 months with Na Piarsaigh and a call up to the Limerick side cannot be far away. Crucial to what the defending champions do.

Missing out: Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)

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6. Centre Back

Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)

Arguably the reason that Doon are still in the reckoning, Darragh O’Donovan has carried his All-Star form into the club scene where he has been a rock at #6. Has moved into midfield for certain stints but has excelled wherever positioned as the key leader in the team missing a number of front-line players.

Lorcan Lyons was typically brilliant at centre back for Monaleen who made a solid return to the senior ranks.

Missing out: Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen)

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7. Wing Back

Dan Morrissey (Ahane)

Another who is repositioned to fit in this team but no All-Star side would be complete without the Ahane superstar. Has switched between full and centre back depending on the teams needs and has been unreal in both.

Eddie Stokes has been equally fluid for Doon and was superb in helping them past Tom Morrissey and Ahane last time out.

Missing out: Eddie Stokes (Doon)

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8. Midfield

Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)

The easy difference in performance levels of Patrickswell from last year to this could well be attributed to the return of Cian Lynch. Always a willing option in the middle third for the record holders, his influence will be key if they are to go all the way.

Colin Coughlan had some huge displays for Ballybrown but they ultimately missed out on their number one goal of promotion.

Missing out: Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), John Fitzgibbon (Adare)

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9. Midfield

Barry Duff (Mungret St Pauls)

The outstanding player of the championship for the surprise packet in senior hurling. Started his campaign with a bang, hitting the net against South Liberties twice and backed that up with another green flag against Garryspillane. Was superb in the promotion decider against Ballybrown, again gosling in what has been a standout season.

Missing out: Joseph Fitzgerald (Monaleen)

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10. Wing Forward

Adam English (Doon)

Has really stepped up in the absence of some key men for Doon, shifting between midfield and the forwards, even doing a stint at full back to mark Kyle Hayes it their crucial win over Kildimo Pallaskenry. A constant outlet of scores for his side and will be key if they are to make it into the semi-finals.

Missing out: Shane Barry (Mungret St Pauls), Barry Adams (Ballybrown)

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11. Centre Forward

Tom Morrissey (Ahane)

The championships top scorer to date, Morrissey was the main man for Ahane as they preserved their group one status for the fourth successive year. Was sensational in their opening day win that secured safety, carrying his All-Star form into the SHC.

Missing out: Kyle Hayes (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh)

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12. Wing Forward

Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock)

Arguably the standout player in the limerick SHC over the past three seasons, it has been more of the same from the Kilmallock flyer. Is as dangerous in the wing forward line as he is at corner forward, chipping in with a number of goals so far this year.

Missing out: Jordan Higgins (Patrickswell), Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)

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13. Corner Forward

Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock)

One of the best forwards in the county, ‘the Bull’ has continued where he left off after a phenomenal maiden senior season. So often the match winner for Kilmallock who started like a train in winning their first four games. Will be desperate for a first SHC medal and few would back against him in being central to Kilmallock’s cause.

Missing out: Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Donal Coughlan (Doon)

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14. Full Forward

Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)

After returning to action in last year’s championship, Casey has been an integral figure for Na Piarsaigh as the champions topped their group. Unmarkable when given the right supply of ball and just pips teammate Adrian Breen with the duo so important to the Caherdavin juggernaut.

Missing out: Adrian Breen (Na Piarsaigh), Colin Ryan (Garryspillane)

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15. Corner Forward

Willie Griffin (Adare)

The leading light for Adare as is so often the case, Willie Griffin almost did enough to help the West side into the last six, only for Lorcan Lyons to strike late for Monaleen. Will be disappointed to not return to group one and miss out on the quarters but it is through no fault of Griffin.

Donnacha O’Dalaigh was superb for Monaleen in their return to the top tier, chipping in with a handful of points from play in each outing.

Missing out: Donnacha O’Dalaigh (Monaleen)

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Limerick SHC Team of the Group Stage

1. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)
2. Ciaran McMahon (Kildimo Pallaskenry)
3. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
4. Cormac Ryan (Doon)
5. Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
7. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
8. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
9. Barry Duff (Mungret St Pauls)
10. Adam English (Doon)
11. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
12. Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock)
13. Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock)
14. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
15. Willie Griffin (Adare)

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