5.
6. Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields) We're all more than familiar with the ability of this man, but his performances even at this grade are to be lauded given the amount of injuries he has suffered in the last number of years. Like Ronan Maher in the first team, his intelligence in the centre if the defence contributed so much confidence in the players around him, and he was in nearly every team of the week over the course of the year.
6.
7. Joe O'Dwyer (Killenaule) A year which ended in bitter disappointment for Killenaule, but their early season form was due in large parts to O'Dwyer in the half back line. A unit of a man, his hurling to match meant he was a key cog in their performances all year and he was more often than not the Killenaule man of the match in most games. A top player.
7.
8. Darragh Guinan (Lorrha) A young man who was one of the first names on this team when I sat down to collate the names together. Still U20, he is only in his second year of adult hurling but hurls with a confidence beyond his years. Whether it was at half forward or half back, he was consistently good all year, scoring crucial goals and points in every game. Well worth a look with the Tipp U20s.
8.
9. Niall McIntyre (Lorrha) The engine of this Lorrha team. He doesn't get the fanfare or rave reviews of some of his attacking teammates, but his running yards must be off the charts every game, and it was so this year with his efforts top class in their run to victory. On top of that, he is well able to hurl and contributed regularly in scoring efforts, but his workrate in the middle set the tone all year for his teammates.