Champions look primed to defend their crown

Kilkenny's favourites' tag is not cut and dry as I see circumstances developing where Limerick can win tomorrow.

Limerick are an experienced team with the winning mentality already ingrained by the survivors from the three under-21 All-Irelands. Also, I would be surprised if they let the enormity of the occasion hinder their performance. They are battle- hardened from the route to the final, with the three Tipperary matches vital in establishing the team's formation.

It also created a bond with supporters, within the team and the management. Regaining the Limerick supporter is a huge plus. You only have to think back to O'Connell Street during Munster's European Cup final match in Cardiff to comprehend the levels of passion they can attain. It will be vital if Limerick are to play above themselves tomorrow and the last think Kilkenny would want.

They have nothing to lose and have come a long way since Richie Bennis first took the reins. While the Tipperary games gave them belief their two visits to Croke Park have seen a marked improvement in their hurling.

It has all been built around a solid full back line and in Brian Murray they possess a fine goalkeeper. The Limerick defenders mix an aggressive streak with smart hurling. They learned from the first Tipperary match when their indiscipline cost them Damien Reale and nearly Stephen Lucy, and probably victory. However, getting a draw with 14 men would have instilled a lot of belief.

The midfield have been boxing clever all summer by using a third man in most games. Expect to see Pat Tobin or Donie Ryan popping up around the middle to help curtail Cha Fitzpatrick and Derek Lyng. During the Tipperary trilogy Ollie Moran was the outstanding hurler in the country. By the time they made it to Croke Park Andrew O'Shaughnessy was flying and this had a positive effect on his free- taking. If Brian Begley gets the right ball in, he could cause havoc around the square.

Unlike Waterford, they do have several options held in reserve with Niall Moran, James O'Brien and Mark O'Riordan all capable of making an impact off the bench. Their scoring averages have also improved this season with their worst points return actually being the 5-11 semi-final tally against Waterford. There were mitigating circumstances as Mike Fitzgerald was injured and off his game.

But they do miss their fair share of chances, something they cannot afford tomorrow. They need a near perfect return to surpass the benchmark that is Kilkenny.

Even when Cork were winning their two All-Irelands, Kilkenny remained the standard. Eight All-Ireland finals in 10 years is a testament to the way they have harnessed the treadmill of talent coming from the minor teams of the 1990s. Brian Cody's hunger and desire remains unsated.

Tommy Walsh, Martin Comerford, Cha Fitzpatrick or Henry Shefflin are their main leaders. It's hard to see Limerick containing all of them. They have the strongest panel in the game, with three of the main contributors in last year's All-Ireland final - James Ryall, John Tennyson and Richie Power - all available to come in.

And yet, it's hard to rate Kilkenny for 2007 because they haven't been severely tested. Maybe they are good enough to win an All-Ireland without being pushed to the pin of their collar.

One notable aspect has been the dip in form during the National League in comparison to previous campaigns. Cody's teams have traditionally carried their league form into the championship and it has provided enough momentum but this year they drew with Dublin, lost to Tipperary and were caught at the end of the league final by Waterford. That is unusual for Kilkenny and may be an indication of their form.

In the championship they weren't troubled by Leinster opposition and Galway, who did ask some questions for 60 minutes, still lost by 10 points in the quarter-final. The last time we witnessed a huge performance from them was the All-Ireland final against Cork so we don't know if that desire remains. Then their motivation was straightforward: stop Cork winning a three-in-a-row and prove they are the best in the land.

The whole of Kilkenny was on fire 12 months ago but that fever was not evident when I visited the county last Thursday. Brian Cody's seemingly relentless hunger and desire will be tested once more. If they rediscover the hunger from that Cork game they will win. But they'll need to be ready for Limerick's intensity right from the throw-in.

Kilkenny's last line of defence remains vulnerable, particularly with injury doubts surrounding Noel Hickey and PJ Ryan and I expect John Tennyson to make an appearance if anything goes wrong.

It will be closer than many people think but it is still hard to see Kilkenny being beaten. They are an All-Ireland winning side and possess the mental strength to soak up Limerick's best shots.

Finally, those going to the match should make sure they get into the stadium in time to watch the minor final, which is between two outstanding and well-matched teams - Tipperary and Cork.