All-Ireland hurling champions Tipperary predictably dominate the 2001 Eircell Vodaphone All Stars team with seven players making the cut. Next in line are All-Ireland finalists Galway with four, and Clare, Kilkenny, Limerick and Wexford get one each.

Overall there are no major surprises on the selected 15, which features nine first-time award winners - the third-highest total of debutants since the scheme started 30 years ago.

Only two of the positions are likely to prove in any way contentious: centre back and centre forward. Clare's James O'Connor picked up his fourth award (including one players' All Star) despite his county's brief championship appearance.

Good displays against Tipperary in both the league final and championship appear to have copperfastened his claims although Mark Kerins of Galway might feel aggrieved after playing aggressively and well in both the All-Ireland semi-final and final.

Limerick's Ollie Moran loses out after failing to match fine displays against Cork and Waterford in the Munster final and All-Ireland quarter-final.

On the other 40, Galway this time get the bounce with captain Liam Hodgins being selected after a good All-Ireland final display. Tipperary's David Kennedy is the player to lose out here despite his importance to the champions' success. His introduction after injury against Clare helped turn that match and - partly because of greater opportunity - he arguably had a more consistent championship than Hodgins.

The awards will be presented by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, at tomorrow night's All Star banquet in the Citywest Hotel. The occasion will be broadcast on RT╔ 1 and will also feature the announcement of the 2001 football All Stars.

Brendan Cummins: Near enough an unanimous choice, although Wexford's Damien Fitzhenry also had a fine year. Cummins's command of his area, shot-stopping ability and booming puck-out are all reliable assets. Maybe at fault for one of the Wexford goals in the semi-final, he otherwise had a consistently good year through National League and championship.

Darragh Ryan: A beneficiary of flexible selection, Ryan was outstanding at full back in Wexford's best performances and resourceful in their less inspired outings. Physically dominant in his square, he also overcame the considerable handicap of a persistent knee injury, which required surgery as soon as his championship ended.

Philip Maher: Deservedly picked in his own position, Maher has impressed since arriving on the scene early last year. This was a great year for him, from the league win through subduing Niall Gilligan in the championship to seeing off both Cloonan and Rabbitte in the final. Primarily a hurler, he was rarely perturbed by more physical challenges.

Ollie Canning: This was the year Canning completed his metamorphosis back to defence. Repeated last year's stunning display on Charlie Carter in the semi-final and followed it up with an excellent performance on Eoin Kelly in the final. Positionally shrewd with plenty of pace.

Eamonn Corcoran: Thoroughbred hurler who was a little unlucky not to be honoured last year after getting injured in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Although the All-Ireland final on Broderick ended his season on a downer, Corcoran was calm and versatile, he switched wings when required this year and was inspirationally composed in the frantic second half of the Munster final.

Liam Hodgins: Not a vintage year for candidates in the position but Hodgins was very good in the All-Ireland final. A bit ragged in the semi-final against Kilkenny, he nonetheless proved an inspiring captain, combining doggedness and technique at the heart of the defence.

Mark Foley: Sensational in the Munster championship where his hunger for the ball and deft touches in securing it frequently lifted a young and inexperienced Limerick side. Not at his best in the All-Ireland quarter-final but his earlier displays had given Foley a shot at Hurler of the Year.

Tomβs Dunne: A triumphant championship in which he rediscovered his best form after an indifferent league campaign. His display in the All-Ireland final was a match-breaker, combining his cool dispatch of long-range scoring opportunities and smooth movement around midfield. Hurler of the Year.

Eddie Enright: Sure, he benefits from a dearth of contenders here, but Enright is nonetheless a deserving winner. After struggling to hit his best form in the half forwards, he found his metier at midfield where his workrate, clear-headedness and stamina made him an ideal foil for Dunne's cerebral presence.

Mark O'Leary: Despite his ability to rattle off two- and three-point salvoes, he always provoked the suspicion that he could do more. On the big day, he did. Two goals and a point was a crucial contribution in keeping Galway at bay and nailed down the All Star.

James O'Connor: Bit of a surprise, as his best displays came in the league. He was also one of only two Clare forwards to impact on the championship match with Tipperary. Reinvented this year as a centre forward, he took to the role with influential displays and the usual reliable free-taking.

Kevin Broderick: Back to his lethal best after a couple of years struggling with his form. Electric pace and dazzling technique came together for that point against Kilkenny, whereas in the final he was many people's man of the match, having almost single-handedly pulled Galway back into contention.

Charlie Carter: Although Kilkenny's unexpected eclipse in the All-Ireland semi-final didn't leave him untouched, Carter still maintained his phenomenal scoring rate. Fourteen points from 15 attempts over three matches - the one blank came from an exceptional save by Damien Fitzhenry - guaranteed that he was one of only two to retain his All Star.

Eugene Cloonan: As is his wont, Cloonan managed some phenomenal scoring despite not doing himself justice in general play. Even in the All-Ireland final, he got in for a goal in an otherwise indifferent display. For the sheer volume of his scoring totals, he was a widely expected and merited selection.

Eoin Kelly: Odds-on for Young Hurler of the Year, Kelly had a stunning debut year as first-choice on the team. Prominent during the league success, he announced himself with a flourish in the crucible of the championship match against Clare. Reliable from frees and threatening in open play.