As supporters wonder who – and how many – will wear the Waterford armband this season, De La Salle captain John Mullane was yesterday named AIB Munster Club Hurler of the Year.

The recently-engaged Déise star is one of the favourites for both the WLRfm/Granville Hotel GAA Award (this Friday) and the Park Hotel Supreme Sports Star (Saturday).

The 27-year-old forward received a record number of nominations from members of media, having been pivotal in his club winning their first ever county and provincial hurling titles.

De La Salle face Ulster champions Cushendall – whose scoring ace Shane McNaughton scooped the Ulster accolade – in the All-Ireland semi-finals on February 22.

TJ Reid, a Fitzgibbon Cup winner with WIT, who scored four points as Kilkenny crushed Waterford in Croke Park last September, took the Leinster award in recognition of his form for Ballyhale Shamrocks.