Not at all backward in coming forward

One of the most consistent features of the current Galway squad has been the tendency of their half-back line to go a rovin'.

The wingers, in particular, resemble a flying column, often found looping behind their forwards to finish a move they initiated.

Declan Meehan's exquisite goal against Kerry in last year's All-Ireland final is a memorable example, and this year, Seβn De Paor has cropped up as an extra attacker.

His point against Derry, mid-way through Galway's dramatic resurgence, was perhaps the turning point and was converted with typical speed and economy.

"I don't set out to score," he says. "Primarily, I am a defender and regard that as my job. But if the opportunity does arise to come forward, then I suppose I don't mind taking it.

"With that Derry score, I felt I was kind of lucky, the ball could have broken anywhere. It did cross my mind to go for a goal for a split second, but they had a lot of cover and I think it was the right decision."

De Paor, from An Ceathru Rua, is the Mr Consistency of the O'Mahony era. While the last three years have seen some swapping in personnel in virtually all positions, either through loss of form or experimentation, only injury has prevented De Paor from taking the left half back spot. But his is not a safe-house, conservative type of consistency. Rather, he is regularly thrilling, a raiding and progressive defender, expressive and an arch exponent of the attractive brand of football this team plays.

While the hype will concentrate on the marquee duels of this All-Ireland final - the midfield hothouse, the Geraghty-Fahy confrontation, Joyce on Fay - the match is likely to rest upon the subtle hustling of the half-forward combatants. De Paor, in particular, will keep company with one of the lesser sung foot soldiers on the Boylan roster, a pure grafter, an athlete and a nippy forward.

"Yeah - Evan Kelly. Well, he was man of the match in the Leinster final, so if that's unsung, I don't know. But he seems to be scoring at ease and has a fairly high work-rate and he is having an excellent campaign. But I am no different than anyone else, we all have a job to do and no one task is any easier than the next."

Although still in his late 20s, De Paor made his debut a decade ago. The learning curve under O'Mahony, though, has been steep, with a third All-Ireland final appearance in four seasons.

"In 1998, I only remember a few passages of play. Everything was new to us then, the noise seemed like something else. Over time, we became less aware of the new stands and what not, and were able to concentrate on what went on between the lines all the easier. I'd say it is a great help to teams that play in Croke Park regularly, but I think we can deal with it fairly comfortably now."

Like everyone else, De Paor couldn't but admire Meath's stark paring of Kerry in the semi-final. "They were really excellent - the midfield operated well, the forwards were clinical. Anything Ollie Murphy touches seems to go over the bar and, if they play at that level, then we will have to really up it to compete. But I mean, we are glad to be here.

"We took the Roscommon defeat really badly and we were just determined that it wouldn't be our epitaph."

De Paor's freedom to break free along the flank will be one of the many fascinating aspects of what is regarded as being the most intriguing final in years. If it's close with 10 minutes to go, Seβn ╙g De Paor might just emerge as the most dangerous forward on the pitch.

Sean de Paor

Age: 30

Height: 5ft 10ins

Weight: 12st

Honours: All-Ireland SFC 1998, Connacht SFC 1998 and 2000, All Star 1998