Roll out the red carpet – Waterford’s All Star winners

John Galvin (1974 & 1982)

The Portlaw man became Waterford’s first All Star at midfield in 1974. That year the under 21s reached the All Ireland final and the seniors got the better of Cork in Munster. That selection also included names like Noel Skehan, Ger Loughnane and Eddie Keher. Eight years later, he was picked at corner back alongside Brian Cody and Pat Fleury.  

Mossie Walsh (1980)

The Ballyduff Upper midfielder was paired with Joachim Kelly from Offaly in his All Star season. In 1980, Waterford made it to the semi final of the National League and lost out to Clare in the Munster championship. Three members of the Walsh clan represented the county at senior level and they were also key figures when the club won county titles during the eighties.

Jim Greene (1982)

1982 ended on a positive note for Jim Greene after the county endured Munster final humiliation at the hands of Cork. The Mount Sion man picked up his All Star at corner forward. Before the Rebels ran riot, Waterford had progressed to the league semi finals and narrowly got the better of Limerick in the Munster semi final.

Tony Browne (1998, 2006 & 2007)

Stylish displays in the drawn Munster final and the All Ireland quarter final versus Galway (when he shot seven points) persuaded the selectors not only to award him with an All Star but also the hurler of the year prize. He also kept Waterford alive in that agonising one point loss to Kilkenny by hitting 1-3. As the years progressed, he successfully made the move to the half back line under Justin McCarthy and collected awards in consecutive years.

Fergal Hartley (2002)

His leadership and expert reading of the game from centre back drove Waterford on to glory at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Only Ken McGrath’s magic at the other end denied him the man of the match award on that occasion. He was picked on the wing for the 2002 selection alongside Peter Barry and Paul Kelly.

Eoin Kelly (2002 & 2008)

Kelly instantly caught the eye in his debut season. He came off his wing to score three points in the Munster final and he burst from the traps in the All Ireland semi final to fire four white flags. As leader of the attack six years later, he was a genuine contender for hurler of the year before the ship sank in September. He streaked ahead in the scoring charts with a staggering 7-43.

Ken McGrath (2002, 2004 & 2007)

Outstanding Munster campaigns in 2002 and 2004 made McGrath a cert for both seasons as the selectors managed to accommodate him at wing forward and midfield. He won awards in three different positions as he took the number six shirt in 2007 where he was flanked by Tommy Walsh and Tony Browne. Only intense competition for the centre back slot from the likes of Ronan Curran prevented him from winning more.

John Mullane (2003, 2009, 2010 & 2011)

A Munster final hat trick and a one man resistance mission against Wexford earned Mullane due recognition in 2003. He had to bite his lip after that in the All Star stakes and could count himself unlucky to miss out on the 2008 selection. The following season he lit up Munster and scored the winner against Galway. He was in hurler of year territory before Kilkenny shut him out. He pursued lost causes in the semi finals of 2010 and 2011 which again gave the selectors little option. With four awards (and possibly more to follow) he leads the way.

Dan Shanahan (2004, 2006 & 2007)

6-4 in three Munster championship games nailed down Dan’s first All Star by late June. More goals followed and an impressive 1-5 in the 2006 All Ireland quarter final win over Tipperary went a long way to securing a second award. He couldn’t stop scoring a year later. 8-12 in five games including a Munster final hat trick made him a runaway hurler of the year receipt.

Paul Flynn (2004)

An overdue All Star arrived at Flynn’s door in 2004. He was overlooked in 1998 when Brian Whelahan was pushed up to the full forward line. His much heralded 1-7 on Munster final day six years on put him right in the frame. Thirteen points in a flawless Croke Park outing against Kilkenny sealed the deal.

Eoin Murphy (2006)

Eoin Kelly dismantled the Déise defence in the Munster semi final but when they renewed acquaintances in Croke Park, Murphy shadowed the Mullinahone man all afternoon. Another tight man marking job on Joe Deane in the semi final secured the corner back spot.

Michael Walsh (2007, 2009 & 2010)

After a couple of seasons of musical chairs, the Brick settled down in the engine room and drove Waterford forward especially against a formidable Cork pairing. That outrageous catch in the quarter final will linger in the memory. In 2009, Davy Fitzgerald pushed him further back and he brought an air of calm to the centre back slot. Back to back All Stars came his way after keeping Cork at bay over two Munster finals.

Stephen Molumphy (2007)

Dan Shanahan always credits the man in the white helmet with his glut of goals in 2007. In his first full championship season at wing forward, Molumphy bloomed in the role of creator as he put scores on a plate for others. He also pitched with 2-5 of his own.

Noel Connors (2010)

The Passage man didn’t waste much time catching the attention of the All Star judges. In his debut season he earned a nomination before making the team a year later. He held Patrick Horgan scoreless in both Munster finals and also showed sharp defensive instincts to sweep the sliotar off the line in the replay.