Hurling TOTW Revealed

Last weekend saw the group stages of the Hurling Championships draw to a conclusion and after a weekend full of excellent performances, the selection committee had a very difficult task whittling the Team of the Week selection down to fifteen players.

1. Eoin O’Reilly (Trim) – With Meath goalkeeper Charlie Ennis away on holidays, Eoin O’Reilly came in to make his senior championship debut against Ratoath on Sunday last. The concession of an early goal would have been enough to rock most young netminders making their debut but not Eoin who turned in an excellent performance.  His puckout were sharp throughout and he pulled off a couple of saves out of the top drawer.
2. Faolán Smyth (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) – Donaghmore/Ashbourne have been impressive thus far in the Championship and they once more put in a fine team performance on Sunday when defeating Trim in Kiltale to book a quarter final place. Central to that win was the dominant showing from their full back line, in which Smyth was a leading light.
3. Kyle Donnelly (Kilmessan) – Kilmessan came into the game in Rathmolyon knowing a win was necessary if they were to qualify for the quarter finals of the Senior Championship and this was exactly what they achieved. And in Kyle Donnelly they had one of the game’s best performers as the county player showcased all of his undoubted abilities.
4. Brendan McKeon (Kildalkey) – Brendan McKeon featuring on Teams of the Week is becoming something of a regular occurrence and he features this week once more. Goes about his business in a quietly efficient manner for Kildalkey and is never beaten.
5. Conor O’Shea (Dunderry) – A rock for Dunderry at a time when they needed leaders to ensure they maintained their senior status. Nothing got by O’Shea as he time and time again thwarted the Clann na nGael attack while also feeding good ball into his own forward line.
6. Simon Ennis (Rathmolyon) – Having missed their midweek victory over Gaeil Colmcille through suspension, Simon was back in the fold for Rathmolyon as they defeated Kildalkey to progress to the quarter final of the Intermediate Championship. A powerful presence in the side, he was one of the outstanding performers over the weekend.
7. Niall McLarnon (Ratoath) – That lengthy stride galloping forward from wing back to send over a point from out on the flank is one of the best sights this year in the Meath Senior Hurling Championship. As he consistently does, Niall got among the scorers in Navan on Sunday and his driving runs caused Trim severe problems.  Also carried out his primary defensive duties with aplomb.
8. Eoghan McCormack (St. Peter’s Dunboyne) – Chipped in with three points from his midfield berth as St. Peter’s Dunboyne grabbed a crucial win over near neighbours Blackhall Gaels in Round 5 of the Senior Hurling Championship. Was a busy presence in the middle third in what was a fine showing.
9. Shane Whitty (Blackhall Gaels) – The best player on the park in Dunshaughlin on Saturday evening, there is no doubt that Whitty didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Covered every blade of grass as he got through a mountain of work.  Does the unglamorous work to allow others shine.
10. Ronan Byrne (Ratoath) – This has been something of a breakthrough year for the Ratoath youngster. He pilfered a goal and two points against Trim on Sunday and was a dangerous presence throughout.  If he continues in this manner then Ratoath will have major decisions to make in attack as key players make their way back from injury and travels.  It’s becoming very tough to leave Ronan out of the team.
11. Cormac Keyes (Navan O’Mahonys) – The twenty-two year old is one of the leading lights in the O’Mahonys side and at the weekend he chipped in with five points as O’Mahonys narrowly defeated Boardsmill, booking their place in the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship for the first time since 2017.
12. Cathal Regan (Rathmolyon) – The second member of the Minor class of 2022 to make this week’s team, Cathal took over the free taking mantle for Rathmolyon last week and he landed twenty-three points over their two games against Gaeil Colmcille and Kildalkey. His free taking duel with Darragh O’Sullivan on Saturday week will be fascinating.
13. Simon Cunningham (St. Peter’s Dunboyne) – The former county Minor stepped up for his club on Saturday evening when they really needed it. Substituted when he last played in Dunshaughlin in the Round 3 loss to Dunderry, there was no fear of the same happening again on Saturday as he landed half a dozen points from play.
14. James Murray (Trim) – This has been something of a slow burning year for James who missed out on the county campaign through injury and he has found it hard to get into the groove since the club championship commenced. Operating at full forward against Ratoath, he landed four points from play and this performance suggests that the real James Murray is about to light up the closing stages of the competition.
15. Stephen Coogan (Dunderry) – Another forward who contributed six of the finest from play, the experienced Stephen Coogan was in scintillating form against Clann na nGael. On a day when leaders were required, few if any did more than Coogan to help Dunderry survive in the senior ranks.