From the beasts in the backs, to the towering bulldozers up front, these men, not noted for speed but aerial prowess and physicality are what every team needs in order to break down the opposition. Here is Sportstalk.ie’s Hurling “Big Men” team.

1. Niall Patterson – Antrim

2. Diarmuid O Sullivan – Cork

3. Ger Cushe – Wexford

4. Kevin Kinahan – Offaly

5. Brian Geary – Limerick

6. Darragh Ryan – Wexford

7. Stephen Lucy – Limerick

8. James Young – Laois

9. Daithi Regan – Offaly

10. Jonathon Glynn – Galway

11. Christy Heffernan – Kilkenny

12. Dan Shanahan – Waterford

13. Declan Ryan – Tipperary

14. Billy Byrne – Wexford

15. Walter Walsh – Kilkenny

Manager, Ollie Baker – Clare