Limerick half-back Diarmaid Byrnes has been named the Sunday Game Hurler of the Year. The Patrickswell defender was nominated for the award along with teammate Barry Nash, and Kilkenny's TJ Reid.
"He had a brilliant, consistent year for Limerick, got 36 points in seven games, six from play," said Ursula Jacob as she named Byrnes as a nominee.
Brendan Cummins said Byrnes has been "an absolute colossus" for Limerick this season.
"I was below in the game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh," said Cummins.
"They were against the wind, and he was hitting the ball over the bar from 80 to 90 yards. Then he was catching puckouts and hitting them back over the bar.
"You're talking about marking forwards and what are you going to do, the big question when you're in charge of a team against Limerick now is 'What am I going to do about Diarmaid Byrnes?' When you don't have the ball, someone needs to mark him.
The Sunday Game have chosen Limerick's Diarmaid Byrnes as their Player of the Year, with the All-Ireland champions having eight players included in the team selection https://t.co/C6str73XDt #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/js9axWF325
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 17, 2022
"Then he goes hunting for it. The way he goes up with complete confidence, and then always picks the pass. You don't know if you're a forward marking him if he's going to slip it by me and go for the return or is he going to hit it over the bar.
"He was so consistent through the Munster championship. When he got to Croke Park, when it mattered the most, he puts the hand up and hits the ball over the bar. He's been Mister Consistency this year."
Davy Fitzgerald said Byrnes has made remarkable progress since he managed him in LIT.
"I remember him being pretty raw when he came in there," said Fitzgerald.
"He wasn't the tightest defender that I've seen. By my God, he's grown so much in his defending, his ability to attack, and his freetaking. He's a really good guy."
See Also: Sunday Game Panellists Named Their 2022 Hurling Team Of The Year
