Cork’s Aidan Walsh has been selected as the Bord Gáis Energy Breaking Through Player of the Year for 2011 and today, in Cork, accepted his award of a specially commissioned trophy, plus a voucher for €1,000 courtesy of Bord Gáis Energy.

The dual star from Kanturk was picked from a shortlist of seven that included Galway trio Niall O’Donoghue, Niall Burke and Barry Daly who all played a pivotal role in helping Galway lift the Cross of Cashel trophy for the first time since 2007.

Also in the running for the award were Dublin captain Liam Rushe who led his team to the All-Ireland Final and Limerick duo Shane Dowling and Declan Hannon who picked up provincial medals in a hugely positive year for hurling in the Treaty County.

However Walsh’s outstanding performances throughout the Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Munster Hurling Championship were without doubt stand out moments for the Rebel faithful. His haul of eight points against Limerick in the Munster Final was one of the finest individual performances witnessed throughout the 2011 GAA year.

Playing at wing forward, the CIT student exerted his aerial prowess to great effect and scored all eight points from play including an incredible long range effort in the dying seconds to send the game into extra time. Unfortunately for the 2010 Young Footballer of the Year it wasn’t to be, as Limerick ran out by two points to claim the Munster title.

However, it was not just one performance that made him stand out. Walsh also performed brilliantly in a thrilling Munster Semi-Final victory over the reigning All-Ireland U-21 champions Tipperary where his tally of 1-1 helped overturn and dethrone the Premier County.

Ger Cunningham, Bord Gáis Energy Sport Sponsorship Manager said, “The 2011 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Championship has been one of the most competitive in recent years. The quality and skill on show meant that it was going to be very tough to single out one player. However, Aidan was immense for Cork in their Munster championship campaign. His performance in the Munster Final was one of the best individual performances I have ever witnessed.

“With players of the calibre of Aidan coming through hopefully Cork will be back challenging for All-Ireland glory before long. Aidan is a prized possession and his dual star qualities are evident in the fact that he won the 2010 Young Footballer of the Year.

“Following on from Darach Honan and Seamus Hennessy, this is the third year of the Bord Gáis Energy Breaking Through Player of the Year Award and while hurling is a team sport, there is always room for individual honours and we feel that this award is a reflection on one player’s year and hopefully an indicator of great things to come from them.”

On receiving the award, Aidan said, “I am delighted to accept this award, especially considering the talent I was up against and I would like to congratulate the other lads for their own achievements this year.

“Unfortunately we were undone in the Munster Final against a very talented Limerick side and we felt we maybe should have won that match but it wasn’t to be. There is a huge amount of work going into Cork hurling at underage levels and I’m sure we will be winning All-Irelands at all age groups before long. I’m very honoured to be accepting this award and would like to thank all involved in the selection process.”

The selection panel was completed by Bord Gáis Energy Sport Sponsorship Manager, Ger Cunningham, RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey, Micheál Ó Domhnaill of TG4, U-21 All-Ireland winner Joe Canning and former Waterford great Ken McGrath.

Tags: Aidan Walsh, Bord Gáis Energy Breaking Through Player of the Year, Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U21 All Ireland Championship, Breaking Through Player of the Year, cork, Liam Rushe, Player of the Year