Kilkenny big guns to shoot down Banner

Kilkenny will start this game as marginal favourites and that's something I'd agree with. They've been very impressive throughout the league and the championship and have rarely looked anything less than potential All-Ireland winners, writes Eamonn Cregan Hurling analyst

Against Tipperary in the semi-final I honestly believed the six-week lay-off since their Leinster title would come against them. Obviously they proved me wrong. Tipperary came into that game with plenty more matches but still Kilkenny could handle them. Unlike a lot of people, I don't think it was a great game of hurling. It was exciting alright, but there was a lot of fumbling and mis-hitting, and it was only towards the end that I felt Tipperary upped their game. Still, Kilkenny came out winners, and probably reasonably easy winners.

Clare, in contrast, have come here on the back of a summer that started with a one-point defeat to Tipperary. That was a huge downer for them and they were lucky in a sense that they had a break before they played Dublin in the qualifiers because they weren't overly impressive that day. And against Wexford they didn't look so hot, playing a team that were back just six days after losing in Leinster but, again, they won and that's the important thing.

The quarter-final against Galway was the big turning point for Clare. They showed tremendous resilience that day because Galway were well up for it. They just ground Galway down after they had run riot for the first 20 minutes, and it was the same against Waterford.

But if Clare allow Kilkenny to get that sort of start they will have huge difficulty trying to haul them back. Galway and Waterford were still that bit inexperienced to handle Clare's fightback, but Kilkenny have been through the mill, and they know what it takes to go ahead and stay ahead.

There's no doubt Brian Cody has put together a very strong Kilkenny side. There are big men in every key position, and the same with the bench. I'm a little surprised Charlie Carter wasn't started but he'll definitely appear as a substitute. Jimmy Coogan deserves to be there because his first touch the last day was outstanding.

Looking at the key areas, Clare will have to break down the Kilkenny half-back line to have any chance of winning, because Richard Mullally, Peter Barry and JJ Delaney are the linchpin of this team. And Barry, in particular, is playing awesome hurling.

Clare will also have to keep a close eye on Henry Shefflin, and Seánie McMahon will have his hands full there. That is going to be some duel. Martin Comerford is a big full forward who will cause plenty of problems for the Clare defence. Brian Lohan is playing exceptionally well, but all the backs will have to play that way if Clare are to be there at the end.

Both goalkeepers are top class but I also feel Niall Gilligan can cause plenty of problems for Noel Hickey, assuming Gilligan plays at full forward. Hickey will have to be more mobile to stay with him because, on his day, Gilligan can turn a whole game around.

Again it's vital for Clare to break the Kilkenny half-back line. Tony Griffin may move to the side to bring Barry out from the centre, but I think Barry is too experienced to fall for that. Griffin is a good player but he's a little young and inexperienced to dominate the centre. Barry was in control the last day and that's where so much of ball supply came into the forwards.

I expect midfield to break even, because Andy Comerford and Colin Lynch are playing equally well. But Clare do have McMahon back to his best and that's an area Kilkenny will have to watch. They'll also have to watch Jamesie O'Connor. Everyone knows he hasn't had a great season but the time to deliver a big game is in the All-Ireland final and he's still capable of doing that.

One other area will be crucial tomorrow, and that's the area around DJ Carey. Clare must be wondering how they are going to control him. I was amazed with his fitness the last day, but the extra space in Croke Park now definitely suits him. A fast corner forward will revel in that space, especially DJ.

He was able to come out for the ball and run with the ball, plus he has this terrific peripheral vision. He goes in one way and sends the ball the other and at times that's impossible to handle. And after the Tipperary game he's got his confidence back. It's a massive job for Clare to try to control DJ and how they'll do it I just don't know. I'm sure Cyril Lyons has a plan.

People go on about Clare's heart but Kilkenny will match that as well. They're coming off a winning streak and they have even greater belief in themselves on top of their skill.

Clare have left that vacancy at wing back but I can't see how they could play Gerry Quinn. It was nice to leave the space there but his arm is going to be very tender, the muscle will have reduced, and it would be a huge gamble if he plays. It's a pity for him but I can't see how he could play.

Clare will feel they have this indomitable spirit that is never beaten. They are always capable of an upset, and of course you write them off at your peril, but they're up against a team that is used to winning now, and a team that have just too many big guns to handle. On paper Kilkenny look the stronger, and it should be enough then to give them victory on the field as well.