Former Waterford hurler and selector Eoin Murphy has picked his All-Star team for 2020 with three Deise men in the mix.
Murphy has opted for Callum Lyons, Tadgh De Burca and Stephen Bennett as the three players he feels most deserve a gong for their performances in the Championship.
Callum Lyons
"I just love this guy. I love Callum Lyons. I love the way he plays."
"He’s young but its like he’s been around a lot longer than he has. I love his aggression, I love his go-forward play."
"Callum, he could be up against it but, he’s in my team at number five."
Tadhg de Búrca
"Tadgh – I’ve rated him from the minute I saw him playing for Clashmore in intermediate. This guy just stood out head and shoulders. I remember seeing him with UCC, stand out head and shoulders among many intercounty players in the colleges scene."
"It was no surprise that he slotted in at centre back for Waterford when he came though."
"I cant day enough about this guy, having seen him up close as selector myself."
"What he brings on the field, his aggression, his awareness, his hurling – he’s one of the most skill full I’ve seen."
"He deserves and All-Star for 2020. Especially aftercoming back from his cruciate, its an awful injury and people struggle to come back form these injuries."
"It was an awful few moments for him 20 minutes into the All-Ireland when he went down. You could see in his eyes and his face. I really, really felt for him."
"He jumped up after about 20 seconds and just took himself off knowing that his game was over but Waterford’s wasn’t. That’s the kind of fella he is. Can’t say enough about him and deserves to be in there at number six."
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Stephen Bennett
"Totally deserving of an All-Star this year. Nomination for player of the year as well."
"Up the final he was unbelievable for Waterford. Lead the line, showed brilliant qualities."
"With Pauric being injured he took over the free taking, but on top of that he just seemed to grow in confidence every game."
"From general play, some of the goals he got and set up were unbelievable."
"Top scorer in the Championship across the board with 1-54."
"The final was tough with Tadgh going off. If Stephen could have got on a bit more ball in the final, he probably could have pushed for hurler of the year."
"Fully deserving."
"This guy has been through (I think) four hip operations and this is the first sustained run in a championship where we’ve seen Stephen Bennett injury free and we’ve seen him bring us back to some of his earlier performances when he played minor."
"He played minor championship at 15. This guy, I think we saw all the talents he possesses."
"I really hope he can stay injury free for Waterford because he’s taking o that leadership up front for this team."
"I’m sure Liam Cahill and co will hope he just kicks on and that there’s another gear in him and I’m sure there is."
©INPHO/James Crombie
Eoin joined Nigel for this weeks On The Ball where he picked his full All-Star team for 2020.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4hV3JI74d2IyEvbNBShbWK?si=6NAKJVcXSX-16CPPxvmrJg
