Noresiders have already worked the oracle

KILKENNY'S "MYSTIC Moira" is predicting a Kilkenny victory tomorrow. Well, she would, wouldn't she?

After all, the acclaimed clairvoyant - who reputedly predicted Bertie's political demise - is based in the hurling hotbed of Bennettsbridge.

According to the Kilkenny People newspaper, the Noreside oracle believes that the game will be decided by "a flick of the ash".

But Waterford has deployed its own seer to match Kilkenny in the "mystic" stakes, Waterford-born magician and illusionist Keith Barry told RTÉ radio Waterford would win by two points.

Nonetheless, if the Cats do prevail, the county will have achieved the coveted three-in-row following last year's defeat of Limerick and, in 2006, of Cork. A victory would also see Kilkenny overtake Cork to top the all-time leaderboard - the counties have each won 30 All-Ireland hurling titles.

In the Marble City, late-season tourists ponder the mysteries of shop windows decorated with photographic displays of past glories, messages of support and, everywhere, the ubiquitous black and amber flag.

And there's no escaping the feline theme. On High Street, the ladies' shoe shop Fifteen displays kitten heels in the county colours as tantalising as Dorothy's ruby slippers.

Saleswoman Ann Dawson has already sold "a good few pairs" of the shoes but still has "a few left" for female fans hoping to raise spirits and eyebrows en route to Croke Park.

Earlier this week, the chic new Pembroke Hotel hosted "an exclusive night of cocktails and canapes" for the hurlers' wives and girlfriends, but any comparison with the pampered players and Wags of England's Premiership ends there. Given the wages top soccer players enjoy, it is humbling to read the biographies of utterly "ordinary", yet phenomenally talented, amateur sportsmen.

The occupations of the Kilkenny players range from garda to soldier; bank official to bricklayer. Their captain, James "Cha" Fitzpatrick, is a 23-year-old primary-school teacher who lists Mel Gibson's depiction of the downfall of Mayan civilisation, Apocalypto, as his favourite film; and cites America as "best country visited".

Among the crowds watching and warmly applauding the squad training last Wednesday evening was Francie Murphy. The 80-year-old, dyed-in-the-wool supporter hobbled in to Nowlan Park on crutches following knee surgery. He recalled his first trip to Croke Park for an All-Ireland final in 1945 ("they lost to Tipperary") and expressed optimism about Sunday: "They should win it handy in the last 10 minutes."

His quiet confidence is widely shared. Many spectators have known the players since childhood and can pick up on the slightest change in form. A woman commented that "Richie Power has filled out a bit".

Outside the stadium, volunteer members of the supporters' club were selling €20 raffle tickets to raise funds for the team. And hurley-wielding youngsters hung around the dressing-room waiting to see their idols. A new generation - from what hurling commentators describe as Kilkenny's "conveyor belt of talent" - is already waiting in the wings to take over.

While All-Ireland appearances - and wins - may be routine, there's a carnival atmosphere. Driving south through the county towards Waterford, the little villages of Stoneyford, Knocktopher, Ballyhale and Mullinavat are ablaze with bunting. At one junction, old Fianna Fáil election posters have been recycled and erected on the roadside. But the mugshots of candidates now face the ditch, while the blank reverse sides bear "Good Luck To The Lads" slogans.