LIMERICK has now well over 90 (94, to be precise) All Star Hurling Awards, following the latest deserved individual recognition of Nickie Quaid, Dan Morrissey, Kyle Hayes, and Gearóid Hegarty.
In the case of Hayes, it was a spectacular fifth award on the trot, which puts him in the same bracket as the legendary Pat Hartigan of South Liberties.
The great Joe McKenna, also of Liberties, remains, for now, Limerick’s top All Star recipient with six (1974, ‘75, ‘78, ‘79, ‘80, and ‘81).
For Quaid, it was a most creditable All Star number three and for both Morrissey and Hegarty a remarkable fourth each.
Just three counties, six-in-a-row Munster champions Limerick (four), All-Ireland winners Clare (six), and All-Ireland runners-up Cork (five) filled all the positions in what was a first-ever clean sweep for the southern province.
In total, Limerick has 42 winners since the scheme was introduced in 1971.
Hayes was unlucky to lose out to Clare’s Shane O’Donnell as Player of the Year.
