A history of Waterford All-Stars.

With the past few weeks, W.L.R.fm’s Gaelic Games programme on a Friday evening, the show presenter and head of sport at the station, Kevin Casey has been playing pre-recorded interviews with Waterford’s All Stars.

So far it is a case of three down and following Kevin Moran’s selection in this year’s team, twelve more to go. The idea behind the interviews is a good one. It allows us to hear how the different winners saw their winning year pan out and also it gives them the chance to speak about some matters relating to the G.A.A.

The programme put me thinking about some research. Its widely reported now that in hurling Waterford now have fifteen different winners of All-Star awards, but how many people both men and women in the county - living and deceased have been honoured for their performances on the field of play in a calendar year.

Before what has become the All-Stars were presented for the first time in 1971, for five years between 1963 and 1967 awards known as the Cú Chulain Awards were presented to the best hurlers in the country each year.

In their first year, Waterford had a very good year. While defeated in the All-Ireland Final against Kilkenny, the Déise County won the Munster Final and the National League.

Four members of the Waterford team in 1963 were named in the Cú Chulain Award winners. Austin Flynn was the first to be named, selected at full back. Larry Guinan was selected at right half back, Mick Flannelly at centre forward and Phil Grimes at right corner forward.

Austin Flynn was to win a Cú Chulain award on two further occasions and both were once again in the full back position. His second award was in 1965 and his third award came twelve months later.

Waterford’s first All-Star winner was John Galvin. The Portlaw man was selected in the 1974 team filling the number nine shirt.

Waterford had to wait until 1980 to win a second All-Star. This time it went to Ballyduff Upper’s Mossie Walsh who coincidently was also picked in the number nine position.

In 1982, despite ending the playing year on a disappointing note, suffering a heavy defeat to Cork in the Munster Final, Waterford had two players named on the All-Star team. Eight years after winning his first award, Portlaw’s John Galvin was selected this time in the left corner back position while the city won its first award with Jim Greene named at right corner forward.

A number of very disappointing years were to follow for Waterford and it was not until 1998 till Waterford next won an All-Star. It was no surprise that Tony Browne following a magnificent year was named in the number eight shirt and the Mount Sion club man was also named Hurler of the Year.

In 2002, Justin McCarthy was named as Waterford Manager and since then many in Waterford have seen things happen that they could only dream of up to that point.

Three Waterford players received All-Stars in 2002, a year that Waterford won its first Munster Final since 1963.

Fergal Hartley was named as the left wing back on the team of the year, Eoin Kelly was named at left half forward and Ken McGrath was named at right corner forward.

John Mullane was named as Waterford’s only winner in 2003 filling the right wing forward position.

Twelve months on Waterford were Munster Champions again and at the end of the year three Waterford players were named in the team of the year. Ken McGrath was named in the middle of the field, Dan Shanahan was named at right half forward and fittingly Paul Flynn was named at left corner forward.

A disappointing year in 2005 saw Waterford win no All-Star but in 2006 another three followed.

Shamrock’s Eoin Murphy was named at right corner back, Tony Browne was named at right wing back and Dan Shanahan was named at right corner forward.

In 2007, Waterford had one of its best years ever. A National League was won, a Munster Final followed and the side were extremely unlucky not to have reached an All-Ireland Final, playing three weekends in a row was to prove too much for the team. However, for their exploits, a record five All-Stars followed at the end of the year.

Ken McGrath was named at centre back; to his left fellow Mount Sion club man Tony Browne was also selected. Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh was picked in the middle of the field, Dan Shanahan was named at right half forward and Stephen Molumphy became Ballyduff Upper’s second All-Star winner when he was named at centre forward. Dan Shanahan was also named as ‘Hurler of the Year’.

Despite reaching the All-Ireland in 2008 via the scenic route, Waterford received just one All-Star. Eoin Kelly was named at Full forward.

2009 saw Michael Walsh and John Mullane win their second All-Stars. The Stradbally Club man was named as Centre Back on the team of the year while the De La Salle man was fitted in at left corner forward.

2010 saw Waterford win three All-Stars. Passage’s Noel Connors was named in the number two shirt, Michael Walsh was named at centre back and John Mullane was fitted in at right corner forward.

De La Salle won his fourth and third All-Star in a row in 2011 at right corner forward and in the most recent naming of the team of the year he again was named in the same position with club mate Kevin Moran named in the middle of the field.  

What Waterford’s men can do, Waterford’s Women have show that they can do the same and maybe even better.

While Waterford have never had a player named on the Camogie Team of the year, a number of players have been named on the ‘Soaring Star’s team of the year. These are awards presented to the best Junior and Intermediate players each year.

In 2009, Waterford had two winners. Áine Lyng was named as the best left half forward over the course of the year while Karen Kelly was named at full forward.

Twelve months on, and Waterford doubled the amount of awards won. Shona Curran was named as the best full back of the year, Trish Jackman was named as the best centre back, Jennie Simpson was named as the best left half back and Áine Lyng was named in the best team of the year for the second year in a row, this time at centre forward.

After going so close to coming out of the junior grade in 2009 and 2010, Waterford did so in 2011 and a number of their players caught the eyes of the team of the year judges as when the team was named there was seven Waterford names in the list of fifteen.

Aisling O’Brien was named in goal, Emma Hannon was named right corner back, Jennie Simpson won her second award, this time at full back, and Grainne Kenneally was named at left half back. Trish Jackman won her second award at Centre Field while in attack, Nicola Morrissey was picked at centre forward and Karen Kelly was picked at full forward.

In Ladies Football, Waterford also has an impressive list of All-Star winners.

Marie Crotty was Waterford’s first winner back in 1986 when she was selected at centre forward. Twelve months on she was selected at full forward on the team of the year and was jointed in the team of the year by Ann Fitzpatrick who was selected at right half back.

In 1988, Waterford won four awards. Dolores Tyrell was selected at left former back, Kilrossanty’s June Whyte was selected at centre back and Marie Crotty and Bernie Ryan both from Ballymacarbry were selected at centre and full forward respectfully.

Three awards were won in 1989. Anne Dunford was selected at left corner back, Áine Wall was selected at right half forward and Bernie Ryan was named at centre forward.

Another twelve months on and three more All-Star’s for Waterford. Ann Fitzpatrick was named at centre back, Áine Wall was named at right half forward and Marie Ryan was named at left half forward.

In 1991, Waterford made the big break through, winning the first of five senior All-Irelands. Five players also were named in the team of the year. Martina O’Ryan was named at full back, Anne Dunford at left corner back, Ann Fitzpatrick at left wing back. Marie Crotty was named in the middle of the field and Áine Wall was named at full forward.

In 1992, Waterford won another five All-Stars. Martina O’Ryan won her second All-Star at full back. June Whyte won her second award, this time at left corner back. Bernie Ryan was picked in the middle of the field, Geraldine O’Ryan was picked at centre forward and Áine Wall was picked at full forward.

In 1993, Áine Wall was Waterford’s only All-Star picked at left corner forward and twelve months later Martina O’Ryan at full back, Noirin Walsh was named at centre back, Catriona Casey was named at left half forward and at Right corner forward and full forward, Fiona Crotty and Áine Wall were named respectfully.

In 1995, Waterford won a record seven awards. Anna-Lisa Crotty was named in goals. Later she was to win an award playing out the field, therefore becoming the only player (I stand to be corrected on this) to win awards in goals and out the field. Regina Byrne was named at right corner back and Cleona Walsh was named in the opposite corner. Julie Ann Torpey was named at left half back, Marie Crotty was named at centre forward, Catriona Casey was named at left half forward and Geraldine O Ryan was named at right corner forward.

Another six awards followed in 1996. Anna-Lisa Crotty was once again named in goals. Noirin Walsh was named at full back; Julie Torpey was named at left half back while Marie Crotty, Catriona Casey and Geraldine O’Ryan were named in the numbers eleven, twelve and thirteen shirts.

Five Waterford players were named in the 1997 team of the year. Anna Lisa Crotty was once again the best net minder in the country, Noirin Walsh was once again at full back, Julie Torpey was named at number seven while Geraldine O’Ryan and Catriona Casey filled the corner forward positions.

1998 saw Waterford win its fifth All-Ireland and five All-Stars also came Waterford’s way. Siobhan O’Ryan was named at full back; Noirin Walsh was named at left corner back, while the full forward line was all Waterford with Rebecca Hallinan, Áine Wall and Geraldine O’Ryan filling the positions.

Waterford had four winners in 1999. Siobhan O’Ryan was named in the full back position for the second year in a row, Anna Lisa Crotty was named at right half back, Catriona Casey was named at left half forward and inside her Geraldine O’Ryan was named in the corner.

Another four awards came Waterford’s way in 2000. Olivia Condon was named at left corner back, Martina O’Ryan was named at centre back, Anna Lisa Crotty was named at centre field and Mary O’Donnell was named at left half forward.

In 2002, Waterford again won four All-Stars. Donna Frost and Olivia Condon filled the corner back positions. Julie Torpey won her fourth award at left half back while Mary O’Donnell was selected in the middle of the field.

Anna Lisa Crotty at right half back, Mary O’Donnell in the middle of the field and Mary O’Rourke at right corner forward were winners of all stars in 2003 and since then, just two more awards have come Waterford’s way, Mary O’Donnell was selected in the middle of the field in 2006 and twelve months on Rebecca Hallinan was selected at right corner back.

The 2012 awards are to be presented in mid November. Waterford has two representatives in this year’s nominations. Grainne Kenneally is selected in defence while Michelle Ryan is selected in attack. Can they get their names to the list of those from Waterford to have won All-Stars? Here’s hoping they can.