The GAA may have been stripped of its elite status under the Republic government's 'Living with Covid' plan but at the weekend Dublin footballer Brian Fenton and Limerick hurler Gearóid Hegarty, assumed the imposing mantle of members of Irish sporting aristocracy.
aving already pocketed six All-Ireland medals, Fenton was crowned Footballer of the Year for the second time in three years as well as picking up his fifth All-Star gong, while Hegarty's stunning scoring exploits during Limerick's surge to another All-Ireland title saw him claim the Hurler of the Year accolade.
Fenton's spectacular track record with Dublin since 2015 - he has never played on a losing team in a championship tie - has thrust him into the pantheon of true greats and, frighteningly from the perspective of opponents, he looks capable of delivering much more.
"While it's a great thrill to win another All-Star and to be named Player of the Year, I think this reflects great credit on the entire Dublin squad. There is a strong bond in there and I think this has stood to us and will continue to stand to us," asserts Fenton.
And in winning his first Allstar award and Player of the Year prize, Hegarty underlined the passion, commitment and ambition that have consumed John Kiely's side spanning recent seasons.
Crowned All-Ireland champions in 2019 after a lengthy spell in the wilderness, the current Limerick side have already re-written the history books with the promise of more to come.
No fewer than nine Limerick players were included in the PwC All-Stars team with Hegarty joined by Nickie Quaid, Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Diarmuid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrisey and Aaron Gillane
Waterford's emergence as a potent force - they were beaten by Limerick in the All-Ireland final - saw Tadgh de Burca, Jamie Barron and Stephen Bennett collect All-Star honours while Daithi Burke (Galway), Tony Kelly (Clare) and T J Reid (Kilkenny) were also honoured, the latter being recognised for the fifth time.
The Young Footballer of the Year award deservedly went to impressive Mayo player Oisin Mullin who was unknown outside his own club until last November and is now bracketed alongside the leading defenders in the country.
And Kilkenny sharpshooter Eoin Cody lifted the Young Hurler of the Year award following a series of eye-catching displays in his county's attack.
If the PwC All-Star awards found favour with the recipients in particular, then the declaration by GAA President John Horan - albeit with a caveat - that it is planned to run the overall fixtures programme as scheduled will have gladdened hearts everywhere.
With doubts having up until now shrouded the staging of the Allianz Leagues in particular, this had threatened to morph into a fear that the season might ultimately become even more truncated than last year.
"We are planning to run Allianz Leagues, run the championship, and run proper club competitions throughout the year," maintains Horan, "We are conscious that people's lives are somewhat on hold at the moment and they want clarity, they want a plan and we will give it as soon as we can."
"One thing that we've learned out of this whole pandemic is you have to be flexible in all your planning and we'll have to remain that way."
"If you look at it in terms of the levels, and the reduction in the levels by the government, it's always likely that the inter-county will be at a level above that of the club. So one would assume that's the road that will actually be pursued."
Gaelic Players Association chief executive officer Paul Flynn is adamant that, even though the GAA has lost its elite status in the eyes of the government, the players at inter-county level still retain their standing as high-performance athletes.
"Inter-county games are as elite a sport as we have on this island and it's critically important that it's categorised there and that this is formally recognised," insists former Dublin All-Ireland winner Flynn.
"After all, these are high-performing athletes. And when we look at other sports - and there are some great athletes in our country - our players' benchmark is right up there if not surpassing them, so it's really important for them to be recognised on that level."
PwC All-Stars Hurling Team: N Quaid (Limerick); S Finn (Limerick), D Morrissey ( Limerick), D Burke (Galway); D Byrnes (Limerick), T de Burca (Waterford), K Hayes (Limerick); J Barron (Waterford), T Kelly (Clare); G Hegarty, C Lynch (Limerick), T Morrissey (Limerick); A Gillane (Limerick), T J Reid (Kilkenny), S Bennett (Waterford).
