All Ireland champions Galway dominate the 2017 Hurling All Stars – their highest representation since they won their previous Liam MacCarthy Cup in 1988.
The team is broken down between Galway (7), Waterford (5), Cork (2) and Tipperary (1).
Waterford goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe is one of six first-time PwC All-Star winners.
In defence, Padraic Maher from Tipperary collects his fifth award and leaves him one behind Premier County legends Nicky English and Eoin Kelly, who each won six All-Stars.
Midfield is notable in that Jamie Barron (Waterford) and David Burke (Galway) are selected as PwC All-Stars for the second consecutive season.
In attack, Galway’s Joe Canning has been selected at centre-forward, picking up his fourth All-Star in the process.
Another player collecting his fourth All-Star is Déise wing forward Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh. However, this is his first award in the attack, having been selected at midfield in 2007 and centre back in 2009 and 2010.
The newly-crowned PwC All-Stars will receive their awards in Dublin’s Convention Centre tomorrow evening.
The PwC All-Star hurling team in full is:
GOALKEEPER
1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Waterford) – First-time All-Star
DEFENDERS
2. Padraic Mannion (Galway) – First-time All-Star
3. Daithí Burke (Galway) – Third-time winner. Previously won in 2015 & 16
4. Noel Connors (Waterford) – Third-time winner. Previously won in 2010 & 2015
5. Padraic Maher (Tipperary) – Five-time winner. Previously won in 2009, ‘11/’14/’16
6. Gearóid McInerney (Galway) – First-time All-Star
7. Mark Coleman (Cork) – First time All-Star
MIDFIELDERS
8. Jamie Barron (Waterford) – Two-time All-Star. Previously won in 2016
9. David Burke (Galway) – Four-time All-Star. Previously won in 2012/’15/’16
FORWARDS
10. Kevin Moran (Waterford) – Two-time All-Star. Previously won in 2012
11. Joe Canning (Galway) – Four-time All-Star. Previously won in 2008/’09/’12
12. Michael Walsh (Waterford) – Four-time All-Star. Previously won in 2007/’09/’10
13. Conor Whelan (Galway) – First-time All-Star
14. Conor Cooney (Galway) – First-time All-Star
15. Patrick Horgan (Cork) – Two-time All-Star. Previously won in 2013
The Football All Stars will be announced at the awards ceremony at the Dublin Convention Centre tomorrow.
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Ireland will open up their 2019 World Cup campaign against Scotland in Yokohama Stadium on Sunday September, 22nd,2019, at 8.45am Irish time, before playing Japan and two qualifiers in the other group games.
The game against Japan will be in Shizuoka the following Saturday at 8.15am
The third game against a European qualifier will be on Thursday October 3rd at 11.15am.
Ireland's final group match will be against a play-off winner on Saturday October 12th at 11.45am.
The tournament's 48 games will be spread across 12 cities.
New Zealand will begin the defence of their title against South Africa.
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There are wholesale changes to the Leinster and Munster ahead of tommorow's Pro 14 fixtures.
Leinster have made 9 changes to their team for their trip to Glasgow.
Jordi Murphy is the only player retained in the pack.
21 year old Conor O'Brien will make his debut in the centre.
Simon Zebo is one of just five Munster players retained for tomorrow's match against Bernard Jackman's Dragons in Cork.
Billy Holland will captain the side in the absence of Peter O'Mahony.
J-J Hanrahan is named at out half, with Ian Keatley dropping to the bench.
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Arsenal will secure their place in the knock out stages of the Europa League if they beat Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
The Gunners are five points clear at the top of Group H having beaten the same team 1-nil in Serbia two weeks ago.
Manager Arsene Wenger is expected to rest host of key players as Arsenal visit Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
Everton's quest for a first win under caretaker manager David Unsworth continues tonight with a Europa League tie against Lyon in France.
The Toffees, who are sitting at the foot of Group E, have left Wayne Rooney at home.
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Padraig Harrington is just 1shot off the lead on the opening day of the Turkish Airlines Open.
The Dubliner lies on 6 under par after 15 holes.
Dutchman Joost Luiten has joined Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Haydn Porteous of South Africa on 7 under at the top of the leaderboard.
Paul Dunne is 4 under.
Shane Lowry is a further shot back.
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There's a seven-race card at Clonmel since 12.50. Winner, No. 1 Dark Shadow 6/1