Shane Stapleton selects his best XV after a weekend where Limerick won the All-Ireland and Antrim raised the Joe McDonagh Cup.
Nickie Quaid
Another fantastic performance from a man who is now the best netminder in the game. Made some key stops, commanded his area, and nailed his puckouts.
Sean Finn
On the way to his third All Star in a row, Finn did a fine job in limiting Dessie Hutchinson and won a number of balls he had no right to.
Dan Morrissey
The full-time whistle sounded with the ball in Morrissey’s hand, and it was a fitting way for his season to end. Adapted to a new position and rarely put a foot wrong on Sunday.
Conor Prunty
A huge task for Prunty given the quality of Aaron Gillane and the amount of dangerous ball going in. Stood up well and won a number of 50-50s.
Diarmaid Byrnes
Byrnes lorded it at the back, caught a beautiful high delivery over Jack Fagan at one point, and used the ball superbly.
Iarlaith Daly
A huge task to come into centre-back in place of Tadhg de Burca so early in the game, but Daly largely excelled despite his team being under incredible pressure.
Kyle Hayes
The machine of all machines. Hayes drove his team forward from the back, and dominated anything that came his way.
Eoghan Campbell
Campbell was a steadying presence for Antrim at midfield during his team’s Joe McDonagh Cup final win over Kerry.
Will O’Donoghue
The iron fist that allowed the velvet gloves around him to excel. Another powerful performance from O’Donoghue, after a quiet semi-final against Galway.
Gearoid Hegarty
Seven points from play only tells part of the tale. The St Pat’s man was everywhere, and tormented Waterford all day.
Niall McKenna
When Antrim took over the game in the third quarter, it was McKenna running the show. Two points capped off a quality performance.
Tom Morrissey
Morrissey followed up a superb semi-final appearance against Galway with another incredible display. Five points from play, and so much more to go with it.
Aaron Gillane
All the talk going into the final was whether Gillane would be right for the game. His four points answered that question, and he is a shoo-in for an All Star.
Austin Gleeson
Gleeson was one of the best Waterford performers on a day when they were soundly beaten. Five points, with three from play, underlines his return to form.
Seamus Flanagan
Three points from play, but it was the quality of the scores that stood out.
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