Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney debate the best centre-forward in hurling, in a position that boasts some of the very best in the game โ brought to you by 65Hurls.com
Some of the game’s great players are currently lining out in the number 11 shirt.
TJ Reid has been a colossus for Ballyhale Shamrocks and Kilkenny for a number of years now, and his mantlepiece groans under the weight of All-Ireland medals with both sides.
Joe Canning, another Hurler of the Year recipient, made his name at full-forward but has also had massive success and that has come more recently at centre-forward.
The Portumna man has suffered plenty of injury woes in recent seasons, and in 2018 was asked what he hoped to achieve in the remainder of his career.
โEm, I donโt know. I remember only last year (in 2017), I got a knee injury from the Leinster final and I didnโt really train too often between that and even the All-Ireland.
“I got an operation there before Christmas and the surgeon said to me if I was 19 again heโd probably give me a full knee.
“But because of my age, he did a job on me that might give me another couple of years, hopefully. So, who knows?
โIโm taking this year as it comes and, to be straight up about it, having come through the (serious) hamstring injury two years ago, and then the knee injury last year, Iโm taking it game-by-gameโฆ
“Iโm just praying my body lets me hurl as long as I can. Thatโs the honest truth.โ
Having missed the vast majority of the 2019 championship due to a groin injury suffered in a league semi-final loss to Waterford, Tribal County fans will hope Canning can return to his peak levels.
Lee Chin, who won an All Star in the half-forward line in 2019, is another of those up near the summit of the game.
โIt was unbelievable,โ he said in December 2019 of winning the All-Star. โFor my family and my club, itโs incredible.
“They were so proud. Obviously I was happy to receive an All-Star. Itโs something as a kid you look up to your heroes that are receiving these All-Stars.
โJust to be up there with the rest of the rest of the gang that were there on the night, it was just an honour to be there side-by-side with such great hurlers in the country as well.โ
Austin Gleeson, John McGrath, Kyle Hayes, Martin ‘Mouse’ Kavanagh, Mark Kavanagh, Neil McManus, Tony Kelly and others also form part of the discussion.
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