2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2008 was the 122nd since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1887. The first matches of the season were played on 25 May 2008, and the championship ended on 7 September 2008. Kilkenny went into the 2008 championship as defending champions, having won their thirtieth All-Ireland title the previous year.

2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Championship details
Dates25 May - 7 September 2008
Teams12
All-Ireland champions
Winning teamKilkenny (31st win)
CaptainJames 'Cha' Fitzpatrick
ManagerBrian Cody
All-Ireland Finalists
Losing teamWaterford
CaptainMichael 'Brick' Walsh
ManagerDavy FitzGerald
Provincial champions
MunsterTipperary
LeinsterKilkenny
UlsterAntrim
ConnachtNot Played
Championship statistics
No. matches played24[1]
Goals total79 (3.29 per game)
Points total846 (35.25 per game)
Top ScorerBorder Eoin Kelly (7-43)
Player of the YearBorder Eoin Larkin
All-Star TeamSee here
2007
2009

The championship culminated with the All-Ireland final, held at Croke Park, Dublin. The match was contested by Kilkenny and Waterford. It was their first meeting in the final since 1963. Kilkenny won the game by 3–30 to 1–13. It was their third All-Ireland title in succession and a record thirty-first for the county. Kilkenny overtook Cork with the most All Ireland Titles. A position which they have not lost since.

Format edit

The format of the 2008 championship was slightly different from previous formats:

12 counties participated in Tier 1 of the 2008 Championship. These teams were as follows:

Provincial Championships

The Leinster and Munster championships were played as usual. The Leinster and Munster champions advanced directly to the All-Ireland semi-finals. The Ulster champions advanced to the qualifiers. The Connacht championship was not played. Galway entered the qualifiers as Connacht representatives.

All-Ireland Qualifiers

Phase 1: (1 match) This was a single match between Antrim and Galway.

Phase 2: (2 matches) The winner of the phase 1 game played the team eliminated in the first round of the Leinster Championship. The loser of the phase 1 game played the team eliminated in the first round of the Munster Championship.

Phase 3: (2 matches) This phase consisted of two knock-out games between the beaten provincial semi-finalists in Leinster and Munster. Teams from the same province could not meet in these games.

Phase 4: (2 matches) The winners from phase 2 played the winners from phase 3 in a knock-out format.

All-Ireland Series

Quarter-finals: (2 matches) The defeated Munster and Leinster finalists played the winners of the qualifier phase 4 games.

Semi-finals: (2 matches) The Munster and Leinster champions played the winners of the quarter-finals.

Promotion/relegation

The losing teams from the qualifier phase 2 games played off. The loser of this game played a promotion/relegation play-off against the winners of the Christy Ring Cup.

Teams edit

General information edit

Thirteen counties will compete in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: one team in the Connacht Senior Hurling Championship, six teams in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, five teams in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship and one team in the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship.

County Last provincial title Last championship title Position in 2007 Championship Appearance
  Antrim 2007 Qualifier Group A
  Clare 1998 1997 Quarter-finals
  Cork 2006 2005 Quarter-finals
  Dublin 1961 1938 Qualifier Group B
  Galway 1999 1988 Quarter-finals
  Kilkenny 2007 2007 Champions
  Laois 1949 1915 Qualifier Group A
  Limerick 1996 1973 Runners-up
  Offaly 1995 1998 Qualifier Group B
  Tipperary 2001 2001 Quarter-finals
  Waterford 2007 1959 Semi-finals
  Westmeath Champions (Christy Ring Cup)
  Wexford 2004 1996 Semi-finals

Personal and kits edit

Team Colours Sponsor Captain(s) Manager(s)
  Antrim Saffron and white Creagh Concrete Paddy Richmond Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton
Dominic McKinley
  Clare Saffron and blue Vodafone Brian O'Connell Mike McNamara
  Cork Red and white O2 John Gardiner Gerald McCarthy
  Dublin Navy and blue Arnotts Stephen Hiney Tommy Naughton
  Galway Maroon and white Supermacs Ollie Canning Ger Loughnane
  Kilkenny Black and amber Glanbia James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick Brian Cody
  Laois Blue and white The Heritage Hotel Damien Fox
Niall Rigney
  Limerick Green and white Sporting Limerick Mark Foley Richie Bennis
  Offaly Green, white and gold Carroll Cuisine Kevin Brady Joe Dooley
  Tipperary Blue and gold Enfer Eoin Kelly
Paul Ormonde
Liam Sheedy
  Waterford White and blue 3 Michael 'Brick' Walsh Davy FitzGerald
  Wexford Purple and yellow Wexford Cheddar Rory Jacob John Meyler

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship edit

Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Final
      
  Dublin 3-21
  Westmeath 0-11
  Dublin 0-19, 1-15
  Wexford 2-13, 2-15
  Wexford 0-17
  Kilkenny 5-21
  Laois 2-12
  Offaly 4-22
  Offaly 0-12
  Kilkenny 2-24
Laois2-12 - 4-22Offaly
W Hyland 2-3 (2-0f), N Costello 0-9 (7f). B Carroll 0-16 (11f, 1 '65'), D Hayden 1-1, G Healion, D Molloy, J Rigney 1-0 each, S Dooley 0-2, A Egan, B Murphy, P Cleary 0-1 each.
Referee: C McAllister (Cork) [1]

Dublin3-21 - 0-11Westmeath
D O'Callaghan 1-6 (1f), J Kelly, J Burke 1-1 each, R Fallon 0-3 (2f, 1 '65'), S Lambert, K Flynn, R O'Carroll 0-2 each, P Carton, D Curtin, M Carton, J McCaffrey 0-1 each. A Mitchell 0-4 (4f), B Murtagh 0-3, P Clarke, D McNicholas 0-2 each.
Referee: C McAllister (Cork) [2]

Dublin0-19 - 2-13Wexford
D O'Callaghan 0-9 (3f), R O'Carroll 0-4, M Carton, J McCaffery (sl), S Lambert, J Burke, D O'Dwyer, K Flynn 0-1 each. E Quigley 1-2, D Lyng 0-5 (4f), S Banville 1-0, R Jacob 0-3, S Doyle 0-2, D Redmond 0-1.
Referee: S Roche (Tipperary) [3]

Offaly0-12 - 2-24Kilkenny
B Carroll 0-6 (2f, 1’65’), G Healion, J Bergin 0-2 each, R Hanniffy, D Molloy 0-1 each. H Shefflin 0-11 (9f, 1’65’), E Larkin 0-4, M Comerford 1-1, A Fogarty 1-0, M Rice, E Brennan 0-2 each, J Fitzpatrick, M Fennelly, R Hogan, TJ Reid 0-1 each.
Referee: J Sexton (Cork) [4]

Dublin1-15 - 2-15Wexford
D O'Callaghan 1-9, R Fallon, J McCaffrey 0-2 each, M Carton, K Flynn 0-1 each. R Jacob 1-2, S Banville 1-1, D Lyng 0-4, S Doyle 0-3, W Doran 0-2, D Redmond, PJ Nolan, E Quigley 0-1 each.
Referee: M Wadding (Waterford) [5]

Kilkenny5-21 - 0-17Wexford
H Shefflin 1-7 (1-7f), E Brennan 2-2, R Power 1-2, A Fogarty 1-1, J Fitzpatrick 0-4 (1f), E Larkin 0-3, D Lyng, M Comerford 0-1 each. Report D Lyng 0-7 (6f, 1 sl), R Jacob 0-3, PJ Nolan, D Redmond 0-2 each, S Doyle, M Jacob, B Lambert 0-1 each.
Attendance: 18,855
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)

Munster Senior Hurling Championship edit

Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Final
  Cork 1-13
  Tipperary 1-19
  Tipperary 2-21
  Clare 0-19
  Limerick 1-16
  Waterford 0-23   Clare 4-12
  Clare 2-26


Waterford0-23 - 2-26Clare
D Bennett 0-10 (9f), J Mullane 0-8, G Hurney, S Molumphy, S Prendergast, E McGrath, D Coffey 0-1 each. M Flaherty 1-7 (3f, 2 '65'), N Gilligan 1-2, T Griffin 0-5, C Plunkett 0-3 (2f), D McMahon 0-3, C Lynch, T Carmody 0-2 each, P Vaughan, B Bugler 0-1 each.
Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)
[6]

Cork1-13 - 1-19Tipperary
B O'Connor 1-3 (2f), C Naughton 0-4, J O'Connor 0-2, S Óg Ó hAilpín, P O'Sullivan, T Kenny, B Corry 0-1 each. E Kelly 1-7 (5f), L Corbett 0-4, S Callanan 0-3, E Corcoran (sl), W Ryan, S McGrath, P Kerwick, M Webster 0-1 each.
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)
[7]

Clare4-12 - 1-16Limerick
J Clancy 1-2, B Nugent 1-1, P Vaughan, D McMahon 1-0 each, M Flattery (3f), N Gilligan (2f) 0-3 each, T Carmody 0-2, C Lynch 0-1. A O’Shaughnessy 0-6 (5f), N Moran 0-5, O Moran 1-1, D Reale, D O'Grady, M O'Brien, D Ryan 0-1 each.
Referee: E Morris (Dublin) [8]

Tipperary2-21 - 0-19Clare
J O'Brien 1-4, S Callanan 1-3, E Kelly 0-6 (2f), S McGrath 0-3, L Corbett 0-2, J Woodlock, P Kerwick, H Maloney 0-1 each. N Gilligan 0-8 (5f), M Flaherty (3f), C Lynch 0-3 each, T Carmody 0-2, J Clancy, G Quinn, D McMahon 0-1 each.
Attendance: 48,077
Referee: D Kirwan (Cork) [9]

Ulster Senior Hurling Championship edit

2nd round Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Final
  Down 4-16
  London '1-16
  Armagh 4-16
  London 2-13   London 2-23
  Tyrone 1-06   Down 2-16
 

Antrim

3-18
 

Antrim

2-17
  Derry 1-12
  Derry 7-23
  Donegal 1-14   Monaghan 3-13
  Monaghan 1-15

2008 marked the first time in decades that all nine Ulster counties (plus London) competed in the Ulster championship.

Due to the historical strength of Antrim and the relative strength of Down, and more recently Derry and Armagh, a system of seeding was used to prevent one-sided matches. The success of the format was indicated by two 'underdog' victories, for Monaghan over Donegal, and London over Armagh, and a number of close matches. However, Antrim retained the trophy beating Down in the final.

Cavan1-16 - 2-15Monaghan

Tyrone1-11 - 2-7Fermanagh

Donegal1-14 - 1-15Monaghan

London2-13 - 1-6Tyrone

Armagh4-16 - 2-23London

Derry7-23 - 3-13Monaghan

Down4-16 - 1-16London

Antrim2-17 - 1-12Derry

Down2-16 - 3-18Antrim

All-Ireland Qualifiers edit

Phase 1
   
  Antrim 1-10
  Galway 6-21
Phase 2+3 Phase 4 Finals
      
  Waterford 6-18
  Antrim 0-15
  Waterford 2-18
  Offaly 0-18
  Limerick 0-18
  Offaly 3-19
  Waterford
  Cork
  Galway 1-26
  Laois 0-09
  Galway 2-15
  Cork 0-23
  Cork 1-17
  Dublin 0-15


Antrim1-10 - 6-21Galway
D Mc Naughton 0-4 (4f), M Magill 1-0, M Herron, K Stewart, K McKeegan (1f) 0-2 each. J Canning 2-6 (1-2f), K Wade 2-0, D Hayes 1-2, A Kerins 1-1, C Donnellan, I Tannian 0-3 each, A Cullinane, F Healy 0-2 each, E Cloonan, D Joyce 0-1 each.
Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary) [19]

Waterford6-18 - 0-15Antrim
E Kelly 2-3 (3f), J Mullane 2-2, E McGrath 0-5, D Shanahan 0-4, G Hurney, E Molumphy 1-0 each, J Nagle 0-2, P Flynn, D Bennett 0-1 each. P Shiels 0-7 (5f), PJ O'Connell, K Stewart 0-2 each, C Herron, M Herron, B Quinn, S McNaughton 0-1 each.
Referee: M Haverty (Galway) [20]

Galway1-26 - 0-9Laois
J Canning 0-9 (4f), A Cullinane 1-2, G Farragher (2f), D Hayes 0-4 each, A Kerins 0-3, I Tannian, A Smith 0-2 each. N Costello (3f), J Brophy 0-3 each, J Rowney, E Holohan, W Hyland 0-1 each.
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath) [21]

Cork1-17 - 0-15Dublin
J Deane 1-1, C Naughton 0-3, T Kenny, J O'Connor, B O'Connor (1f), N Ronan 0-2 each, J Gardiner (1f), E Cadogan, N McCarthy, P Cronin, P Horgan 0-1 each. D O'Callaghan 0-10 (7f), R O'Carroll 0-3, P Ryan 0-2.
Referee: J Owens (Wexford) [22]

Limerick0-18 - 3-19Offaly
P Tobin 0-5, A O'Shaughnessy 0-4 (1f), N Moran 0-3, W McNamara, B Geary (1 '65'), M Foley, D Ryan, D Sheehan, K Tobin 0-1 each. J Bergin 3-2, S Dooley (1f), B Carroll (1f, 1 '65') 0-6 each, D Molloy 0-2, B Murphy, D Horan (1 '65'), D Currams 0-1 each.
Referee: C McAllister (Cork) [23]

Waterford2-18 - 0-18Offaly
E Kelly 2-13, J Mullane 0-2, E McGrath, S Prendergast, S Molumphy 0-1 each. [24] B Carroll 0-9, B Murphy, G Hannify 0-2 each; D Franks, P Cleary, S Dooley, D Molly, J Bergin 0-1 each.
Attendance: 30,082
Referee: M Haverty (Galway)

Galway2-15 - 0-23Cork
J Canning 2-12(6f, 1 sideline, 1-0 penalty), N Healy, D Hayes, R Murray 0-1 each. Report B O’Connor 0-12, J Deane 0-4, C Naughton 0-3, J Gardiner 0-2, N McCarthy, P Horgan 0-1 each.
Attendance: 30,082
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)

Relegation play-offs edit

Antrim2-18 - 0-16Laois
P Shiels 0-8 (8f), S McNaughton 1-3, Paddy Richmond1.1, K Stewart 0-2, J Campbell, E McCloskey, M Herron, C Duffin 0-1 each. [25] N Costello 0-5 (4f), W Hyland, J Brophy (1f) 0-3 each, E Holohan, C Delaney 0-2 each, T Fitzgerald 0-1.
Referee: J O'Mahony (Limerick)

Laois4-18 - 3-11Carlow
W Hyland 1-5 (1f), D Peacock , T Fitzgerald 1-2 each, N Holmes 1-1, J Brophy 0-3 (1f), J Walsh, J Phelan 0-2 each, C Delaney 0-1. [26] C Doyle 1-2, M Brennan 1-1, C Hughes (2f), S Kavanagh (2f , 1 '65') 0-3 each, D Murphy 1-0, R Foley, S Murphy 0-1 each.
Referee: D Richardson (Limerick)

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship edit

Quarter-Finals
July 27
Semi-Finals
August 10 / August 17
Final
September 7
      
  Kilkenny 1-23
  Cork 0-17
  Clare 2-17
  Cork 2-19
  Kilkenny 3-30
  Waterford 1-13
  Waterford 1-20
  Tipperary 1-18
  Wexford 3-15
  Waterford 2-19
Wexford3-15 - 2-19Waterford
S Doyle 2-1, D Lyng 0-5 (5f), W Doran 1-1, R Jacob 0-3 (1f), D Redmond 0-2, S Nolan, E Quigley, D Fitzhenry (pen) 0-1 each. [27] E Kelly 1-8 (1-6f, 1 '65'), E McGrath 0-4, D Shanahan 1-1, J Mullane 0-3, J Nagle, S Prendergast, S Molumphy 0-1 each.
Attendance: 46,571
Referee: J Sexton (Cork)

Clare2-17 - 2-19Cork
N Gilligan 0-8 (3f, 1 '65'), D Mc Mahon, B Nugent 1-1 each, J Clancy, T Carmody 0-2 each, G Quinn (1f), P Donnellan, B O'Connell (sl) 0-1 each. [28] B O'Connor 0-7 (3f, 1 '65'), T McCarthy, K Murphy 1-0 each, P Horgan 0-3, P Cronin, N Ronan 0-2 each, T Kenny, J O'Connor, N McCarthy, C Naughton, J Deane 0-1 each.
Attendance: 46,571
Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)

Kilkenny1-23 - 0-17Cork
H Shefflin 0-11 (6f), E Larkin 1-2, A Fogarty 0-5, TJ Reid 0-2, R Power, E Brennan, J Fitzpatrick 0-1 each. [29] B O'Connor 0-8 (8f), T Kenny 0-2, J Gardiner 0-1, P Horgan 0-1, J O'Connor 0-1, P Cronin 0-1, C Naughton 0-1, N Ronan 0-1, T McCarthy 0-1.
Attendance: 71,235
Referee: M Wadding (Waterford)

Tipperary1-18 - 1-20Waterford
E Kelly 0-8 (6f), S Callanan 1-3, S McGrath 0-3, C O’Mahony (1f), L Corbett, P Kerwick, S Maher 0-1 each. Report E Kelly 1-10 (8f), J Mullane 0-3, E McGrath, S Molumphy, M Walsh 0-2 each, J Kennedy 0-1.
Attendance: 53,635
Referee: D Kirwan (Cork)

Kilkenny3-30 - 1-13Waterford
E Brennan 2-4, H Shefflin 0-8 (5f, 1 '65'), E Larkin 1-4, TJ Reid 0-4, A Fogarty, D Lyng 0-3 each, R Power, J Fitzpatrick 0-2 each. [30] E Kelly 1-9 (9f), J Mullane 0-3, D Bennett 0-1.
Attendance: 82,186
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)

Championship statistics edit

Scoring edit

Cards edit

Overall edit

Miscellaneous edit

  • Kilkenny win their 31st All-Ireland title to become outright leaders on the all-time roll of honour for the first time in their history.
  • Top scorer from play John Mullane didn't win an all star.
  • Waterford become the second top-scoring team in a hurling championship season to have a negative score difference (Westmeath 1961)

Roll of Honour edit

  • Kilkenny - 31 (2008)
  • Cork - 30 (2005)
  • Tipperary - 25 (2001)
  • Limerick - 7 (1973)
  • Dublin - 6 (1938)
  • Wexford - 6 (1996)
  • Offaly - 4 (1998)
  • Galway - 4 (1988)
  • Clare - 3 (1997)
  • Waterford - 2 (1959)
  • Laois - 1 (1915)
  • London - 1 (1901)
  • Kerry - 1 (1891)

Player facts edit

Debutantes edit

The following players made their début in the 2008 championship:

Player Team Date Opposition Game
James Burke Dublin May 25 Westmeath Leinster quarter-final
Niall Corcoran Dublin May 25 Westmeath Leinster quarter-final
Noel Costello Laois May 25 Offaly Leinster quarter-final
Joe Dooley Laois May 25 Offaly Leinster quarter-final
Ger Healion Offaly May 25 Laois Leinster quarter-final
Eoin Holohan Laois May 25 Offaly Leinster quarter-final
Niall Holmes Laois May 25 Offaly Leinster quarter-final
Diarmuid Horan Offaly May 25 Laois Leinster quarter-final
Simon Lambert Dublin May 25 Westmeath Leinster quarter-final
Conor Mahon Offaly May 25 Laois Leinster quarter-final
Enda Barrett Clare June 1 Waterford Munster quarter-final
Mark Flaherty Clare June 1 Waterford Munster quarter-final
Richie Foley Waterford June 1 Clare Munster quarter-final
Gary Hurney Waterford June 1 Clare Munster quarter-final
Tadhg Keogh Clare June 1 Waterford Munster quarter-final
Séamus Callanan Tipperary June 8 Cork Munster semi-final
Brian Corry Cork June 8 Tipperary Munster semi-final
Pat Kerwick Tipperary June 8 Cork Munster semi-final
Conor O'Brien Tipperary June 8 Cork Munster semi-final
Paudie O'Sullivan Cork June 8 Tipperary Munster semi-final
Stephen Banville Wexford June 14 Dublin Leinster semi-final
Tommy Dwyer Wexford June 14 Dublin Leinster semi-final
Colm Farrell Wexford June 14 Dublin Leinster semi-final
Peter Kelly Dublin June 14 Wexford Leinster semi-final
Brendan O'Leary Wexford June 14 Dublin Leinster semi-final
David Redmond Wexford June 14 Dublin Leinster semi-final
Paul Ryan Dublin June 14 Wexford Leinster semi-final
James Tonks Wexford June 14 Dublin Leinster semi-final
Richie Hogan Kilkenny June 15 Offaly Leinster semi-final
T.J. Reid Kilkenny June 15 Offaly Leinster semi-final
Paudie O'Dwyer Limerick June 22 Clare Munster semi-final
Joe Canning Galway June 28 Antrim All-Ireland qualifier
Cyril Donnellan Galway June 28 Antrim All-Ireland qualifier
James Skehill Galway June 28 Antrim All-Ireland qualifier
Patrick Bergin Dublin July 12 Cork All-Ireland qualifier
Jamie Nagle Waterford July 21 Offaly All-Ireland qualifier
Paddy Stapleton Tipperary August 17 Waterford All-Ireland semi-final

Retirees edit

The following players played their last game in the 2008 championship:

Player Team Date Opposition Game Début
Colin Lynch Clare July 27 Cork All-Ireland quarter-final 1997
Frank Lohan Clare July 27 Cork All-Ireland quarter-final 1995
Joe Deane Cork August 10 Kilkenny All-Ireland semi-final 1996
Brian Murphy Cork August 10 Kilkenny All-Ireland semi-final 2004
Diarmuid O'Sullivan Cork August 10 Kilkenny All-Ireland semi-final 1997
Éamonn Corcoran Tipperary August 17 Waterford All-Ireland semi-final 1999
Dave Bennett Waterford September 7 Kilkenny All-Ireland final 1997
Tom Feeney Waterford September 7 Kilkenny All-Ireland final 1995
Paul Flynn Waterford September 7 Kilkenny All-Ireland final 1993
James McGarry Kilkenny September 7 Waterford All-Ireland final 1999

Top scorers edit

Season edit

Rank Player County Tally[2] Total Matches Average
1 Eoin Kelly Waterford 7-43 64 5 12.8
2 Henry Shefflin Kilkenny 1-37 40 4 10.0
3 David O'Callaghan Dublin 2-33 39 4 9.75
Joe Canning Galway 4-27 39 3 13.0
5 Brian Carroll Offaly 0-37 37 4 9.25
6 Ben O'Connor Cork 1-32 35 5 7.0
7 Martin Finn London 1-29 32 3 10.67
8 John Mullane Waterford 2-21 27 5 5.4
9 Niall Gilligan Clare 1-21 24 4 6.0
Eoin Kelly Tipperary 1-21 24 3 8.0
11 Eddie Brennan Kilkenny 4-09 21 4 5.2

Single game edit

Rank Player County Tally Total Opposition
1 Eoin Kelly Waterford 2-13 19 Offaly
2 Joe Canning Galway 2-12 18 Cork
3 Brian Carroll Offaly 0-16 16 Laois
4 Eoin Kelly Waterford 1-10 13 Tipperary
5 David O'Callaghan Dublin 1-9 12 Wexford
Ben O'Connor Cork 0-12 12 Galway
Eoin Kelly Waterford 1-9 12 Kilkenny
Joe Canning Galway 2-6 12 Antrim
9 Henry Shefflin Kilkenny 0-11 11 Offaly
Eoin Kelly Waterford 1-8 11 Wexford
Henry Shefflin Kilkenny 0-11 11 Cork
Joe Bergin Offaly 3-2 11 Limerick
13 Dave Bennett Waterford 0-10 10 Clare
David O'Callaghan Dublin 0-10 10 Cork
Henry Shefflin Kilkenny 1-7 10 Wexford
Mark Flaherty Clare 1-7 10 Waterford
Eoin Kelly Tipperary 1-7 10 Cork
Eddie Brennan Kilkenny 2-4 10 Waterford
19 Noel Costello Laois 0-9 9 Offaly
David O'Callaghan Dublin 0-9 9 Wexford
Joe Canning Galway 0-9 9 Laois
Brian Carroll Offaly 0-9 9 Waterford
David O'Callaghan Dublin 1-6 9 Westmeath
Willie Hyland Laois 2-3 9 Offaly
Eoin Kelly Waterford 2-3 9 Antrim

Clean sheets edit

Rank Goalkeeper County Clean sheets
1 P.J. Ryan   Kilkenny 4

Monthly awards edit

Month Vodafone Player of the Month Opel GPA Player of the Month
Player County Player County
May Brian Carroll Offaly David O'Callaghan Dublin
June Brian O'Connell Clare Brian O'Connell Clare
July Joe Canning Galway Joe Canning Galway
August Eoin Kelly Waterford Derek Lyng Kilkenny
September Eddie Brennan Kilkenny Eoin Larkin Kilkenny

Annual awards edit

Vodafone Hurler of the Year edit

The Vodafone Hurler of the Year award for 2008 was won by Eoin Larkin of Kilkenny.

The shortlist for the Vodafone Hurler of the Year award, in alphabetical order, was as follows:

Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year edit

The Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year award for 2008 was won by Joe Canning of Galway.

The shortlist for the Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year award, in alphabetical order, was as follows:

Opel GPA Hurler of the Year edit

The Opel GPA Hurler of the Year award for 2008 was won by Eoin Larkin of Kilkenny.

The shortlist for the Opel GPA Hurler of the Year award, in alphabetical order, was as follows:

Managerial changes edit

The following managerial changes took place during and immediately after the championship.

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position
Waterford Justin McCarthy Resigned 5 June 2008 Davy FitzGerald 9 June 2008 Defeated in Munster quarter-final
Laois Damien Fox Resigned 24 June 2008 Niall Rigney 24 June 2008 Defeated in Leinster quarter-final
Limerick Richie Bennis Not reappointed 12 August 2008 Justin McCarthy 7 October 2008 Defeated in All-Ireland qualifiers
Dublin Tommy Naughton Resigned 14 September 2008 Anthony Daly 23 November 2008 Defeated in All-Ireland qualifiers
Galway John Meyler Resigned 7 October 2008 Colm Bonnar 11 November 2008 Defeated in All-Ireland quarter-final
Galway Ger Loughnane Not reappointed 13 October 2008 John McIntyre 18 November 2008 Defeated in All-Ireland qualifiers

Stadia edit

The following stadia were used during the championship:

County Stadium Capacity
Dublin Croke Park 82,300
Tipperary Semple Stadium 55,000
Limerick Gaelic Grounds 50,000
Cork Páirc Uí Chaoimh 43,500
Galway Pearse Stadium 34,000
Antrim Casement Park 32,600
Kilkenny Nowlan Park 30,000
Meath Páirc Tailteann 30,000
Laois O'Moore Park 27,000
Carlow Dr. Cullen Park 21,000
Waterford Walsh Park 17,000

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ This figure does not include Ulster championship matches as these have no effect on the All-Ireland series
  2. ^ "Hurling Top Scorers 2008". www.hoganstand.com. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2009.

External links edit