Galway

1. Martin McNamara

Club: Corofin.

Age: 31.

Height: 5 ft 10 in.

Weight: 15 st.

Hasn't been as spectacular as two years ago but to an extent hasn't needed to be. Had to make one crucial intervention from Tadgh Fennin against Kildare. Kick-out lacks O'Keeffe's distance but will be intelligently placed.

2. Tomas Meehan

Club: Caltra.

Age: 23.

Height: 5 ft 11 in.

Weight: 12 st 7 lb.

Compensates with enthusiasm and speed for what he lacks in finesse. In difficulty on Fennin in the Kildare semi-final, he may represent a better bet on Russell with whom he could at least keep pace.

3. Gary Fahey

Club: Killanin.

Age: 28.

Height: 6 ft.

Weight: 13 st.

Despite his size, Fahey is more comfortable on the ground than in the air. However, Hassett's lack of pace would also suit him. Conversely he would hope to disrupt O Cinneide but would be vulnerable on the turn.

4. Ray Silke

Club: Corofin.

Age: 30.

Height: 6 ft.

Weight: 13 st 10 lb.

Intelligent player, good on the breaks but a bit slow for his adopted position in the corner. Yet he has still to get a roasting in a big match and recovered from early difficulties in the semi-final to become a big influence at the back.

5. Declan Meehan

Club: Caltra.

Age: 24.

Height: 5 ft 8 in.

Weight: 11 st 7 lb.

New to the team and the position. An elusive wing forward who just missed out on selection in '98, his preference is for defence. Quick on to the breaks and confident moving forward. Will be conceding six inches to Kennelly, though.

6. John Divilly

Club: KilkerrinClonberne.

Age: 23.

Height: 6 ft 1 in.

Weight: 13 st 13 lb.

His entry against Kildare stirred ambivalent reactions. Taken for three points by Karl O'Dwyer, but gave the defence a focus and his thumping clearances will get the attack moving. Will prefer O Cinneide to Hassett.

7. Sean de Paor

Club: An Ceathru Rua.

Age: 29.

Height: 5 ft 10 in.

Weight: 12 st 12 lb.

Ability to read the game keeps his defensive limitations at bay. Perceptive on the breaks and intelligent going forward, he poses a major difficulty in his linking with the attack. Frequently inspirational in tight corners.

8. Sean O Domhnaill

Club: An Ceathru Rua.

Age: 25.

Height: 6 ft 6 in.

Weight: 15 st.

Lacking the form that distinguished his play two years ago, O Domhnaill is still capable of better than he showed in the semi-final. His height can prove very disruptive in the air but he isn't attacking with the same confidence.

9. Joe Bergin

Club: MountbellewMoylough.

Age: 19.

Height: 6 ft 4 in.

Weight: 13 st 7 lb.

Has shown extraordinary maturity in his debut season. The first teenage midfielder in a final since Brian Mullins, he was spectacular during the Connacht campaign and feisty on his first visit to Croke Park.

10. Paul Clancy

Club: Moycullen.

Age: 23.

Height: 5 ft 11 in.

Weight: 13 st 7 lb.

An excellent footballer deprived of his place two years ago by injury. Good in the air and a competent ball-winner, he can also take scores well from the wing. Good at linking the play in attack and a formidable presence.

11. Tommy Joyce

Club: Killererin.

Age: 24.

Height: 5 ft 10 in.

Weight: 12 st.

An understated replacement for Jarlath Fallon, Joyce works hard on the 40 rather than directing traffic and leaves the rapier work to Donnellan. Could take more scores but combines well with the other forwards.

12. Michael Donnellan

Club: Dunmore McHales.

Age: 23.

Height: 5 ft 11 in.

Weight: 13 st.

Has rediscovered the spirit of '98 and responded well to the increased responsibility thrust on him by Fallon's absence. Searing runs were again noticeable against Kildare as was his phenomenal long-distance kicking.

13. Derek Savage

Club: Cortoon Shamrocks.

Age: 22.

Height: 5 ft 8 in.

Weight: 12 st.

His speed out to the ball was notable in the semi-final. Despite being an excellent finisher, he doesn't always go for his own scores. Saw a lot of ball against Kildare but only scored a point and kicked just one wide.

14. Padraig Joyce

Club: Killererin.

Age: 23.

Height: 6 ft.

Weight: 13 st.

Accurate from play and frees. His confidence the last day was such that he was demanding ball in the last 10 minutes. Moynihan will be the best marker he's faced and the pressure will be on Joyce to do more than break even.

15. Niall Finnegan

Club: St Sylvester's, Malahide.

Age: 29.

Height: 5 ft 11 in.

Weight: 12 st 12 lb.

Subdued the last day but crafty and composed enough not to let that inhibit him. Mike Hassett will prefer Finnegan to Savage but the experienced Galwayman is well capable of clipping points from play and frees.