LeaderSport pundits pick their Limerick SHC teams of the year
After LeaderSport picked its team of the season, it is the turn of our pundits to make their call
GAA Coverage in association with Lyons of Limerick Ford
After LeaderSport picked its team of the season, it is the turn of our pundits to make their call.
James Ryan, former Limerick captain
Goalkeeper: Conor Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock)
HIS final alone would have won the prize, with the outstanding saves, but he was consistent throughout the whole year. His puck-outs and long-range frees were impressive.
Full-Back Line: Jackie Dwane (Kilmallock), Cian O'Donovan (Doon), Aaron Costello (Kilmallock).
AT JUST 18 years of age, and playing against Ahane days after winning a minor, to be so dominant in a solid full-back line is more than impressive for Dwane. O’Donovan looked very sharp and fit again this year, very attack-minded with ball in hand while Costello was outstanding this year, unlucky to miss the final through injury.
Half-Back Line: Brian O'Meara (Mungret-St Pauls), Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen), Killian Hayes (Kilmallock)
THE Mungret captain showed great leadership – the city men unbeaten in the ‘B’ side of the championship, and O’Meara as the anchor in defence a big reason why. Lyons reinvented himself in 2026 with a collection of big moments to last a lifetime - the winning point against Mungret the standout. Hayes was Mr Consistency this year for Kilmallock.
Midfield: Adam English (Doon), William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)
THIS midfield partnership doesn't need an explanation - very simple, they brought their county form back to club.
Half-Forward Line: Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock). Daithi Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
GRAEME played the role he was given by the Kilmallock management perfectly this year, knew what was asked and executed it. Dempsey had another great club season. He did it all: crated and got big scores. Casey would have liked to be on more ball in the final but performances all year too good to leave him out.
Full-Forward Line: Oisin O'Reilly (Kilmallock), Pierce Connery (Kilmallock), Dean Coleman (Doon)
O’REILLY was a livewire in a lot of games this year, but he pipped into this team for the performance in the final. Like his brother, they were a torment to the Na Piarsaigh full-back line and showed great pace and courage to take on ball. Pierce had a year to remember, getting scores from play at will in the group stages. Coleman was the top scorer from play in the entire championship, including 2-3 against Na Piarsaigh.
Andrew O’Shaughnessy, former All-Star
Goalkeeper: Conor Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock)
'CHAN' as he is affectionately known in the Balbec was more than just a shot stopper contributing 12 points throughout the year. My favourite performance was the only game he didn't score in, his shot stopping against Ballybrown was immense.
Full-back line: Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Jackie Dwane (Kilmallock)
FITZGERALD is the exact corner back a forward doesn't like playing on. Fast, brave and can hurl you. Harrington was consistent, smart and calm on the ball. Vince has speed and ability and protected his area all year. You would not think this was Jackie’s first year playing adult hurling. Strong, brave and intelligent.
Half-back line: Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen), Ciarán O'Connor (Kilmallock), Brian Barry (Mungret-St Pauls)
STRENGTH, skill and leadership aplenty from Lorcan. You do not leave him free on his own 45 with his striking ability and pace. Ciarán is deceptively strong and he anchored the defence all year. A hurling centre back which dictated their play all year. Brian help guide Mungret into the quarter-finals and showed consistency and guile throughout the year.
Midfield: William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh) Adam English (Doon)
ADAM is my son’s favourite hurler and it’s easy to see why. He sets a great example with his skill bravery and pace. Will is probably my favourite current county player. To succeed against Na Piarsaigh you simply must keep him off the ball.
Half-forward line: Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret-St Pauls), Peter Casey (Kilmallock), Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock)
FITZGERALD is a young county player who his club can rely on. Led his team with aplomb all year. Casey is the best finisher in the county bar none. If Oisin gets on the ball it’s damage limitation from there. Came to the fore in the big games this season
Full-forward line: Donal Coughlan (Doon), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), Pierce Connery (Kilmallock).
DONAL was a ray of sunshine in a disappointing year for Doon. Hurts opponents with pace and precision. O’Brien delivered when needed. Scored a superb goal in the county final. Pierce, alongside Dwane, a key reason why Kilmallock bettered early-season expectations.
Leo O’Connor, former Limerick U21 and Offaly U20 manager
Goalkeeper: Conor Hanley-Clarke (Kilmallock)
A CLEAN sweep for Conor Hanley-Clarke as he was picked in all four teams. The undisputed number 1 and the top goalkeeper in the senior championship in 2026..
Full-back line: Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Jackie Dwane (Kilmallock)
A BREAKTHROUGH year for Jackie Dwane saw a second Kilmallock man to be picked in all four teams. Leo agrees with the LeaderSport selection of Emmet McEvoy and was the only pundit to put Mike Casey in his selection.
Half-back line: Ciaran O’Connor (Kilmallock), William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen)
WILLIAM O’Donoghue was selected at midfield in the LeaderSport team as well as by James Ryan and Andrew O’Shaughnessy. While he showed well going forward for club, it’s his county position of center back in this selection. Like ‘Shaughs’, Leo includes Ciaran O’Connor and Lorcan Lyons.
Midfield: Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), Adam English (Doon)
ADAM English is another man who received unanimous votes here. But his midfield partner in this selection is his club and county teammate Darragh O’Donovan. Darragh has been a top performer in the red of Doon and green of Limerick for years now.
Half-forward line: Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret-St Pauls)
FINTAN Fitzgerald gets a third vote here while Balbec captain Graeme Mulcahy is included by Leo and Jimbob. A lone vote for Limerick captain Cian Lynch, whose club performances were perhaps overshadowed by a disappointing campaign for Patrickswell which saw them fail to get out of Group 2.
Full-forward line: Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
PETER Casey was another unanimous selection by LeaderSport pundits. Third votes for Kilmallock duo Shane O’Brien and Oisin O’Reilly. The pair showed great goalscoring form and were key parts of a clinical Kilmallock attack.