This is a list of all the past winners of the official GAA GPA All Stars Awards in hurling since the first awards in 1971. As an insight to the prominent players of the 1960s, it also includes the unofficial "Cuchulainn" awards presented from 1963 to 1967 under the auspices of Gaelic Weekly magazine.
Since 1971, the All Stars Awards in hurling have been presented annually to a set of fifteen hurlers from that year's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, who are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year". The shortlist is compiled by a selection committee steering group, while the overall winners are chosen by inter-county players themselves. The All Star is regarded by players as the highest individual award available to them, due to it being picked by their peers.
Limerick hold the record for most All-Star winners in one year with 12 players chosen in the hurling selection for 2021.
Key + PositionsGKGoalkeeperRCBRight corner-backFBFull-backLCBLeft corner-backRWBRight wing-backCBCentre-backLWBLeft wing-backMDMidfieldMDMidfieldRWFRight wing-forwardCFCentre-forwardLWFLeft wing-forwardRCFRight corner-forwardFFFull-forwardLCFLeft corner-forward
+ KeySymbolMeaningHad previously appeared on an All-Stars teamPos.Position
Cú Chulainn Awards 1963 Pos.PlayerWinnerTeam GK Ollie Walsh 1Kilkenny RCB Tom Neville 1Wexford FB Austin Flynn 1Waterford LCB John Doyle 1 Tipperary RWB Séamus Cleere 1 Kilkenny CB Billy Rackard 1 Wexford LWB Larry Guinan 1 Waterford MD Theo English 1 Tipperary MD Des Foley 1 Dublin RWF Jimmy Doyle 1Tipperary CF Mick Flannelly 1Waterford LWF Eddie Keher 1 Kilkenny RCF Liam Devaney 1 Tipperary FF Jimmy Smyth 1Clare LCF Phil Grimes 1 Waterford
1964 Pos.PlayerWinnerTeam GK Ollie Walsh 2Kilkenny RCB John Doyle 2 Tipperary FB Pa Dillon 1 Kilkenny LCB Tom Neville 2 Wexford RWB Séamus Cleere 2 Kilkenny CB Tony Wall 1 Tipperary LWB Pat Henderson 1 Kilkenny MD Mick Roche 1 Tipperary MD Paddy Moran 1 Kilkenny RWF Jimmy Doyle 2 Tipperary CF Michael 'Babs' Keating 1 Tipperary LWF Eddie Keher 2 Kilkenny RCF Tom Walsh 1 Kilkenny FF John McKenna 1 Tipperary LCF Donie Nealon 1 Tipperary
1965 Pos.PlayerWinnerTeam GK John O'Donoghue 1 Tipperary RCB Tom Neville 3 Wexford FB Austin Flynn 2 Waterford LCB Kieran Carey 1 Tipperary RWB Denis O'Riordan 1 Cork CB Tony Wall 2 Tipperary LWB Jimmy Duggan 1 Galway MD Phil Wilson 1 Wexford MD Mick Roche 2 Tipperary RWF Jimmy Doyle 3 Tipperary CF Pat Carroll 1 Kilkenny LWF Pat Cronin 1 Clare RCF Donie Nealon 2 Tipperary FF John McKenna 2 Tipperary LCF Seán McLoughlin 1 Tipperary
1966 Pos.PlayerWinnerTeam GK Paddy Barry 1 Cork RCB Pat Henderson 2 Kilkenny FB Austin Flynn 3 Waterford LCB Denis Murphy 1 Cork RWB Séamus Cleere 3 Kilkenny CB Kevin Long 1 Limerick LWB Martin Coogan 1 Kilkenny MD Bernie Hartigan 1 Limerick MD Theo English 2 Tipperary RWF Seánie Barry 1 Cork CF Eddie Keher 3 Kilkenny LWF Pat Cronin 2 Clare RCF Paddy Molloy 1 Offaly FF John McKenna 3 Tipperary LCF Mattie Fox 1 Galway
1967 Pos.PlayerWinnerTeam GK Ollie Walsh 3 Kilkenny RCB Pat Henderson 3 Kilkenny FB Pa Dillon 2 Kilkenny LCB Jim Treacy 1 Kilkenny RWB Séamus Cleere 4 Kilkenny CB Jim Cullinan 1 Clare LWB Len Gaynor 1 Tipperary MD Mick Roche 3 Tipperary MD Paddy Moran 2 Kilkenny RWF Eddie Keher 4 Kilkenny CF Tony Wall 3 Tipperary LWF Pat Cronin 3 Clare RCF Donie Nealon 3 Tipperary FF Tony Doran 1 Wexford LCF Michael 'Babs' Keating 2 Tipperary
All Star awards listed by year 1970s 1971
Pos.PlayerTeamAppearancesRationale GK Damien Martin Offaly 1 "For maintaining his very high level of brilliance in a position that invariably produced more than a few top class performances in any one year." RCB Tony Maher Cork1"For his dependability. His unobtrusive but completely effective work in defence has always been the great quality of his hurling, particularly so this year." FB Pat Hartigan Limerick1"For his contribution as one of the mainstays of Limerick's resurgence in 1971. At full back he showed unyielding stubbornness under the heaviest of pressure." LCB Jim Treacy Kilkenny1"For maintaining his position as the outstanding left corner back in the country, for his sportsmanship and calm play in every situation." RWB Tadhg O'Connor Tipperary1"For captaining Tipperary in their recapture of the All-Ireland championship. His qualities of leadership and great-hearted spirit were repeatedly in evidence throughout the season." CB Mick Roche Tipperary1"For his memorable performances as one of the hurling perfectionists of his era, his true brilliance comes to the surface when the competition is at its hottest." LWB Martin Coogan Kilkenny1"For bringing his judgement and experience out of retirement in 1971. His steadying influence was a major reason for the return of the Leinster title to Kilkenny." MD John Connolly Galway1"For the admirable hurling style exemplified in his play. His crisp, deft striking of the ball was one but one of his many splendid skills." MD Frank Cummins Kilkenny1"For his considerable role in recapturing the Leinster title for Kilkenny and Cork championship for Blackrock. All the promise of his early hurling years blossomed in 1971." RWF Francis Loughnane Tipperary1"For his quick incisive forward play. His scoring ability was one of the factors enabling his County to become All-Ireland champions in 1971." CF Michael 'Babs' Keating Tipperary1"For his exemplary performance in recovering his County team place and then becoming the inspiration of his team's many fine achievements during the year." LWF Eddie Keher Kilkenny1"For his consummate artistry, the poise and grace he brings to his chosen sport. For a decade his play has delighted thousands of lovers of the game." RCF Mick Bermingham Dublin1"For his stalwart contribution to the Dublin attack during the season. His skill, earnestness and unflagging enthusiasm made him the country's leading scorer in 1971." FF Ray Cummins Cork1"For introducing a new degree of subtlety into full-forward play. His perfect coordination and the wide variety of his attacking play continually setting up scores." LCF Éamonn Cregan Limerick1"For his speed, elusiveness and powerful shot which unite to make him one of the most successful score-getters of modern times. His effectiveness was strikingly emphasised during 1971."
1972
Pos.PlayerTeamAppearancesRationale GK Noel Skehan Kilkenny1"For loyalty and devotion to his native county: for truly magnificent goalkeeping as he led Kilkenny to their 18th Championship." RCB Tony Maher Cork2"For the courage he showed in overcoming injury and returning to demonstrate that his outstanding defensive qualities had not been diminished." FB Pat Hartigan Limerick2"For consummate skill as a ball player: for consistency as a dependable defender even when fortune turned against his county." LCB Jim Treacy Kilkenny2"For stubbornness and dependability under the sternest pressure and for proving yet again that he is the outstanding left corner back in the country." RWB Pat Lawlor Kilkenny1"For his alertness and mobility in defence. His defensive ability contributing so much to his county's success in 1972." CB Mick Jacob Wexford1"For his sparkling hurling style, his intelligent understanding of the game and his refusal to give up in the most difficult of situations." LWB Con Roche Cork1"For the intensity of purpose and absolute determination which makes him an unshakeable defender: for his classic striking of the ball." MD Frank Cummins Kilkenny2"For the self-assurance and poise which makes him a midfielder of highest stature: for another year of power in the middle for Kilkenny." MD Denis Coughlan Cork1"For his hard work and devotion to the game and his county and for his dexterity and elegance in his play." RWF Francis Loughnane Tipperary2"For his spirit and accuracy in attack and for the incisive forward play that always makes him a danger near the goal." CF Pat Delaney Kilkenny1"For his straight-forward hard play which always commands the highest respect from the opposing defence." LWF Eddie Keher Kilkenny2"For continuing to be the peerless marksman in the game from play and from frees: for his shrewd and brilliant use of the ball." RCF Charlie McCarthy Cork1"For his great speed and sheer accuracy which gives him opportunities to score from the most unlikely situation." FF Ray Cummins Cork2"For the supremely high standard he continues to set for full-forward play: for his utter unselfishness in bringing his team-mates into the game." LCF Éamonn Cregan Limerick2"For his solo-running in attack which can split a defence: for his adaptability in other positions out the field."
1973
Pos.PlayerTeamAppearancesRationale GK Noel Skehan Kilkenny2"For his courageous defiance, his agility and trustworthiness making him the kind of goalkeeper that any player would be happy to have behind him." RCB Phil "Fan" Larkin Kilkenny1"For his dependability in defence, which combines with his natural hurling skill to establish him as one of the great corner backs of today." FB Pat Hartigan Limerick3"For his undiminished skill and dependability in a very demanding position where quite often brawn is substituted for hurling artistry." LCB Jim O'Brien Limerick1"For his rare bravery and mobility: for the all-round splender of his contribution to Limerick's much-delayed return to championship honours." RWB Colm Doran Wexford1"For his alertness and sense of judgement, for the crispness of his stroke which played such a sizeable part in regaining the National League title for his county." CB Pat Henderson Kilkenny1"For his sheer skill and obstinacy in defence, his tenacious approach and the devotion he continues to give to the game." LWB Seán Foley Limerick1"For the fervour he brings to all facets of hurling, and particularly for his dedicated half-back play which contributed so much to Limerick's 1973 successes." MD Liam O'Brien Kilkenny1"For his artistic stick-work which he has demonstrated with increasing regularity, and for establishing himself as one of the most elegant and energetic midfielders of recent times." MD Richie Bennis Limerick1"For the level-headedness he has so frequently shown in the tightest of situations and for his exceptionally high rate of scoring." RWF Francis Loughnane Tipperary3"For his incisive intelligent running which so often splits opposing defences: for the remarkable consistency and accuracy of his marksmanship." CF Pat Delaney Kilkenny2"For highlighting just how vigorous play can be totally fair, particularly during his famous attacks towards the opposing goal." LWF Éamonn Grimes Limerick1"For his seemingly limitless energy and his desire to work all over the field: qualities which have made him a natural leader and a high scorer." RCF Martin Quigley Wexford1"For the wide range of his playing skills, his constancy of purpose and his obvious versatility." FF Kieran Purcell Kilkenny1"For the out-and-out hard work he puts into the game. For his power of striking and his adaptability in attack." LCF Eddie Keher Kilkenny3"For his enormously successful scoring record, his fluency of stroke and his accurate passing which create so many chances for his team mates."
1974
Pos.PlayerTeamAppearances GK Noel Skehan Kilkenny3 RCB Phil 'Fan' Larkin Kilkenny2 FB Pat Hartigan Limerick4 LCB John Horgan Cork1 RWB Ger Loughnane Clare1 CB Pat Henderson Kilkenny2 LWB Con Roche Cork2 MD Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien Kilkenny2 MD John Galvin Waterford1 RWF Joe McKenna Limerick1 CF Martin Quigley Wexford2 LWF Mick Crotty Kilkenny1 RCF John Quigley Wexford1 FF Kieran Purcell Kilkenny2 LCF Eddie Keher Kilkenny4
1975