Pos. |
Player |
Team |
Appearances |
Rationale
|
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 |
Cork |
1 |
"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 |
Limerick |
1 |
"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 |
Kilkenny |
1 |
"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 |
Tipperary |
1 |
"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 |
Tipperary |
1 |
"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 |
Kilkenny |
1 |
"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 |
Galway |
1 |
"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 |
Kilkenny |
1 |
"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 |
Tipperary |
1 |
"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 |
Tipperary |
1 |
"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 |
Kilkenny |
1 |
"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 |
Dublin |
1 |
"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 |
Cork |
1 |
"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 |
Limerick |
1 |
"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."
|