Wooly Awards: Best individual hurling performance of the year

On any given day.

The 7th annual Wooly Awards took place in Fumbally Towers on Monday, with the best Individual hurling performance of the Year coming up for debate. Here's the six nominations.

Conor Lehane vs Tipperary

The marauding Midleton maverick set the Rebels in motion in 2017 with a dream individual performance against Tipperary in the Munster opener. Unplayable, unmarkable, the 25-year-old was nigh on unstoppable. His powerful running game was at its peak, he kept the wide count low, and he gained possession with a deadly first touch on numerous occasions in the most unlikely of situations. He ran Tipperary ragged, scoring five from play and notching five frees.

"Marking Ronan Maher, and taking him to the absolute cleaners...Spectacular points from the sideline... It was one of the best individual performances I've ever seen," said Wooly.

High praise.

Gearoid McInerney vs Tipperary

"Many Galway people doubted Gearoid, whether he was good enough, and by God he answered any Galway critics," said Galway man Damien Hayes.

Thundered into the game, nailing Padraic Maher with an early shoulder. McInerney's influence only grew as he clawed high ball after high ball, fed ball to his midfielders, and gave Patrick Maher a tough day at the office.

Jamie Barron vs Kilkenny

A durable, battle-hardened ball of energy in midfield, Jamie Barron was at his brilliant best against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland qualifiers of a July Sunday evening in Semple Stadium. The Kilkenny midfielders and defence couldn't cope with his direct running, and in extra-time, he came into his own, slicing them open with ridiculous ease with all others around him tiring. His goal that day summed it up. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/927845903620329472

Lee Chin vs Kilkenny

"When it came to looking for leaders, he was the man," said Damien Hayes.

A truly colossal performance on a famous night in Wexford Park. Chin was a virtuoso of spirit, hunger, power and skill. Won balls that he had no right to contest, involved teammates and scored points. The wrecking ball of the sunny-south-east.

Patrick Horgan vs Waterford

The Glen Rovers man shouldn't have been on the losing side in the All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford. Pulled the fat out of the fire on so many different occasions, nailing all of his frees and scoring some improbable points from play. Over the shoulder, on the run, off the turn. You name it, he did it.

Conor Cooney vs Wexford

Sometimes the St Thomas' club man is criticised for a lack of consistency, Cooney was at it from the word go in the Leinster final. Scored points from all angles in a terrorising display, eventually ending his afternoon with 7 of the finest from play. A one man destruction of the yellow bellies.

Winner

Conor Lehane's all-round class against Tipperary couldn't be toppled.

"Spectacular points from the sideline, I was at the game and maybe that elevates that performance for me," explained Wooly, but even those watching on television will struggle to argue.

Simply class. You can listen to this discussion here from 42:53. https://soundcloud.com/sportsjoe-gaa-hour/special-episode-the-wooly-awards