Us GAA fanatics at Sportstalk.ie have put together a team of the best fifteen players that have graced the fields of Thurles, Pairc Ui Chaoimh and the Gaelic Grounds in the past 17 years.

1. Brendan Cummins (Tipperary) – Without doubt the man from the Ballybacon-Grange club in Tipperary was one of the best goalkeepers to ever play the game. A hard choice considering the calibre of other goalkeepers that wore their county jersey players such as new Wexford boss Davy Fitzgerald, Clare selector Donal Og Cusack and the now Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash. However, Cummins till edges it for us as he in an illustrious career between the sticks for the Premier he picked up 5 all-star awards.
2. Noel Connors (Waterford) – The Passage club man has been ever present in the Waterford full back line. One of Waterford’s best defenders over the past number of years and is still found doing man marking duties on some of the best forwards in the game, as well as been consistent he is reliable, strong and all round very nice guy on and off the field.
3. Diarmuid O’Sullivan (Cork) – Also known as ‘The Rock’ who hails from Cloyne. He made his inter county debut in 1997 but he really came to prominence in the noughties. A winner of 4 all-star awards at full back says it all about the man, he was strong, tough and always gave 100% for the cause. The winner of 3 All-Ireland’s and 4 Munster titles as well, the Rock had to be included
4. Seamus Hickey (Limerick) – The man from Murroe-Boher, although he is only 29 years of age now it seems he has been around a lot longer. He has been on the inter-county seen since 2006 and similar to Noel Connors is normally given the task of marking the best forward on the opposing team.
5. Padraic Maher (Tipperary) – The Thurles club man has been the driving force of Tipperary in the last number of years. He is the current captain of the Tipperary senior hurlers and since making his debut 7 years ago he has managed to pick up 5 Munster titles, 2 All-Ireland titles and 4 All-Stars. At just 27 years of age that list will surely grow in the future.
6. Ken McGrath (Waterford) – The Mount Sion stalwart will go down in the history books as one of the best centre backs in the game. Although Ken never won an All-Ireland with his beloved Deise he was consistent, tough and physically fit.
7. Sean Og O’Hailpin (Cork) – The Na Piarsaigh man is fully deserving of his place at wing back. He was often given the task of marking Dan Shanahan or Henry Shefflin. He always gave it his all and left it on the pitch. Sean Og won 5 Munster titles and 3 All-Ireland titles with Cork.
8. Tony Browne (Waterford) – Tony Browne what can be said about him that has already been said the Mount Sion legend. Although playing most of his games at wing back we couldn’t leave this man out. Tony won all-star awards in 2006 and 2007 and will go down as one of Waterford’s greatest ever hurlers.
9. Jerry O’Connor (Newtownshandrum) – One of the best midfielders of his era. He had everything from speed, skill and wrist work. A superb midfielder and always gave it 100 % for his county and club.
10. Dan Shanahan (Waterford) – Shanahan from the Lismore club is still playing. Dan the man always gave 100 % for Waterford and on his day was a match winner. He scored some very important goals for Waterford down through the years and proves his worth to the team
11. Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) – He was one of the greatest ever forwards to play the game. Kelly retired in 2014 with 5 Munster titles, 6 all-star awards, 2 national leagues and 2 senior All-Ireland’s. He sits at number 3 in the list of all-time top scorers with a remarkable 21- 368.
12. Tony Kelly (Clare) – Kelly simply has to be on the team. He has won everything in the game apart from the All-Ireland Club Championship, he will have a chance to win that may be on St Patricks Day 2017. Kelly at the tender age of 22, won hurler of the year, young hurler of the year and an all-star award the year Clare won the All-Ireland. To be fair to the Ballyea man there is a lot more awards to come for him if he continues the way he is going. Has the potential to be the greatest hurler of all time.
13. John Mullane (Waterford) – The De La Salle club man was a key part of the Waterford team in the last 10-12 years, without him in the team they wouldn’t of been successful as they were. His passion on the field was amazing and excited the fans. He came up with some excellent scores and always performed well for Waterford.
14. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary) – The Drom and Inch man has been a pure leader for the Premier. In the 2014 championship Seamie scored a massive 9 goals and 45 points in six championship appearances. Just this year in September’s final Callanan grabbed 0-09 from play out of his 0-13 points in total to pick up the man of the match award.
15. Joe Deane (Cork) – The corner forward from Killeagh was Cork’s main danger man for years and the chants of ‘Deano’ in the stands on match days proves how important Cork fans knew he was to the side.

Anthony Redmond, Sportstalk