Tipperary player-by-player guide

1. Darren Gleeson (Portroe)
Age: 33
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 15st 4lbs
Occupation: Insurance broker

After the Limerick game he was under pressure and trying to fill the very big boots of Brendan Cummins’s. Instability at full back wasn’t helping but against Cork it all clicked with outstanding saves and intelligent distribution. Confidence greatly improved.

2.  Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)
Age: 21
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 12st 2lbs
Occupation: Student

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 14

Lar Corbett: His form against Dublin and Cork wasn’t great and he faces Kilkenny with a lot of baggage. This is the ultimate chance for redemption. Still has X-factor but as a goal threat needs to get in there rather than drift outfield.

Excellent all year: aggressive and quick to the ball. Great league final on Henry Shefflin. Has held off the best Tipp corner back of the last five years, Michael Cahill. Distribution not as impressive at wing back but faultless in corner.

3. Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
Age:       25
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 14st 6lbs
Occupation: GMC/Sierra

Wearing the no 3 jersey, he will play in his best position at left half back where, of late, he has been much closer to his best form. Has far more impact at wing back and when on the front foot, Tipp are on the front foot, as the huge display against Cork showed.

4. Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh)
Age: 25
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 12st 1lbs
Occupation: Teacher

Superb against Cork from the word go once he stormed out and caught the first couple of balls and totally justified the management decision to leave out Michael Cahill after his recovery from injury. In great form.

5. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh) 
Age:       25
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 12st 7lbs
Occupation: Teacher

Still just 25, a gifted stick man back in form. Maybe sits a little deep in the pocket at times and might need to push up. I’d pick him – as the most athletic Tipp back – to man mark TJ Reid.

6. James Barry (Upperchurch Drombane)
Age:       24
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 14st 2lbs
Occupation: Bórd Gáis HR

Part of dominant UCC half back line of recent years, he established himself quickly at wing back late in the league. Switch onto Jonathan Glynn was the turning point against Galway and really grew into the full back role against Cork.

7.  Kieran Bergin (Killenaule)
Age: 28
Height: 6'
Weight: 13st 3lbs
Occupation: DIT student

After a spell at midfield he’s back in his best position. Has strength, speed, aggression and is a fierce competitor. A late arrival on the county scene he’s added experience to maturity and is part of an increasingly effective defence.

8. Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch)
Age:       25
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 11st 13lbs
Occupation: Teacher

Surprise return against Dublin after a few poor years but in the semi-final he looked to have rediscovered his 2010 form. Put in a huge shift, as he and Woodlock unexpectedly got the better of Cork. Work rate and shooting excellent.

9. James Woodlock (Drom and Inch)
Age:       28
Height: 5' 10'
Weight: 12st 8lbs
Occupation: Garda

Huge recovery from career threatening injury. Industry and application always beyond question but use of the ball has critically improved with better distribution and scoring – neither previously his forte – three points against Cork. His absence cost the team against Limerick.

10. Gearóid Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)
Age: 22
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 12st 2lbs
Occupation: Plumber

Form is questionable after a couple of hard years battling injuries. Big influence in 2010 working back from wing forward but is also a tidy hurler on top of his work rate. Still getting better and capable of improving again tomorrow.

11. Patrick Maher (Lorrha and Dorrha)
Age: 24
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 13st 5lbs
Occupation: Army

Winning a lot of ball and with better support is now particularly influential. Irrepressible and unlike in 2013 the ball has been sticking in his hand quickly at pick-up. Execution sometimes fallible but dynamism down the middle is a real threat.

12. John O'Dwyer (Killenaule)
Age: 22
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 13st 5lbs
Occupation: CIT student

An immensely skilful player, as could be seen in the low pick-ups at full belt against Dublin. His scoring has been phenomenal this year and the block on Damien Cahalane followed by a point was Bubbles at his pick-pocket best.

13. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
Age: 23
Height: 6'
Weight: 13st 11lbs
Occupation: AIB

Not yet back to his best – witness the six wides against Cork, all within his range. Will drift to make space for Callanan and Larry. A skilful conductor but hitting his own high notes would be a major boost for Tipp.

14. Séamus Callanan (Drom and Inch)
Age:       25
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 14st 7lbs
Occupation: Sales representative

From a promising player who looked like he mightn’t make it to Tipp’s contender for Hurler of the Year, he has really improved and thrived on the responsibility. Free taking, exploiting space and goal scoring have made him a key performer.

15. Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields)
Age: 33
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 13st 9lbs
Occupation: Publican

His form against Dublin and Cork wasn’t great and he faces Kilkenny with a lot of baggage. This is the ultimate chance for redemption. Still has x-factor but as a goal threat needs to get in there rather than drift outfield.