Final say: Players and coaches give their views

Brian Whelahan (Offaly half back)

"Kilkenny have so many matchwinners that it's going to be very hard to beat them. They might not be as mobile in the backs but they make up for that with their experience and physical strength. Goalscoring has been their big asset all year and I expect it will be again tomorrow.

Cork are well able to take their chances also. They have big players in Brian Corcoran and Diarmuid O'Sullivan and they have the pace in the backs to keep in touch with the Kilkenny forwards. But it won't be enough to just match Kilkenny."

Mattie Murphy (Galway manager)

"I BELIEVE Kilkenny have the edge simply because they have the greater experience and their forwards are that bit sharper. The Cork attack is very light without a natural man to break up the play and create some space.

Both sides have had a month to work out how to play each other and it will be a huge tactical battle. The first 15 minutes will be crucial to see who settles first and that's where the experience counts most of all. Kilkenny are more used to the big day and won't miss any chance to get the victory they surrendered last year."

Frank Lohan (Clare corner back)

"Cork are a very even and balanced side with a better defence than some people might think. They've been excellent with their point scoring all year although they haven't been as potent when it comes to goals. They will have to limit the Kilkenny forwards who are all so skilful and fast. Kilkenny went so close last year and I think they've improved even more this summer, especially with John Power back to his best and D J Carey scoring as many goals as ever. I expect them to have the advantage at the end but it will be very close."

Johnny Pilkington (Offaly midfielder)

"The general consensus is that Kilkenny will have the greater experience and scoring ability to see them through but a big deciding factor will be whether they can get the goals here as well. They also have this mental advantage over Cork.

There's no doubt that Cork are well able to score, but up to now they've been hitting a lot of ball in from the sidelines and towards the end of All-Ireland final it will be more difficult to send those over the bar. How much more they can raise their game we'll have to wait and see."

Nicky English (Tipperary manager)

"This is one of the hardest AllIrelands to assess in recent years. I believe Cork can improve, but we just don't know how good they can be nor what heights they can achieve. They do possess this great enthusiasm and freshness which will make them especially hard to beat. However, Kilkenny know the scene and they know the occasion and that just might be enough to upset Cork. The Cork backs have improved this year and will certainly put it up to the Kilkenny forwards. But I have to make Kilkenny slight favourites."

Conor Clancy (Clare forward)

"Kilkenny are probably the more balanced side and have the advantage and experience of being there before. That have that maturity as well which in an All-Ireland final can make all the difference but they still have to go out and get the scores.

What's impressed me most about this Cork team is their sense of hunger and progression which has come about from all the hard training over the last few years. They are becoming a more unified side all the time and with a few lucky scores on the day they can just about sneak it."