1. James McGarry
Club: Bennetsbridge.
Age: 28. Height: 6 ft.
A VERY good goalkeeper, he doesn't do spectacular things but is safe and dependable. Hasn't been tested very much this year because his defence has played well but has been sound when needed. He pucks out well.
2. Michael Kavanagh
Club: St Lachtains.
Age: 21. Height: 5 ft 10 in.
GOOD stylish hurler. Tight like all good corner backs and has adapted without fuss to the full-back line after a good campaign last year at half back. It's not a big transition nowadays, in fact much the same game played about 30 yards back.
3. Noel Hickey
Club: Dunamaggin.
Age: 19. Height: 5 ft 11 in.
A VERY promising full back but an All-Ireland final is a big test for a 19-year-old. John Ryan will be a tough opponent but his emphasis is on the physical. Hickey must command the square physically but Ryan won't pose the same level of hurling threat as Ollie Fahy did in the semi-final.
4. Willie O'Connor (capt)
Club: Glenmore.
Age: 33. Height: 5 ft 7 in.
HE was brought back for his experience. He's an intelligent player who sweeps behind his half-back line and marks well. Caught for pace in last year's final, he won't have that problem with Michael Duignan but will have to decide how far out the field to follow him.
5. Philip Larkin
Club: James Stephens.
Age: 26. Height: 5 ft 11 in.
HAS to prove himself at half back after a couple of unsettling displays this season. Not physically imposing but tigerish. He'll be out to prove that his difficulty with Brendan Murphy in the Leinster final was a one-off. He'll need to get out ahead of Murphy.
6. Eamonn Kennedy
Club: Dunamaggin.
Age: 28. Height: 6 ft 2 in.
HE came through the Galway match well, his first in the AllIreland series as he missed out last year after the Leinster championship. Favours his left side and is up against a big player in Hanniffy, he'll have his hands full but he coped with Joe Rabbitte quite well.
7. Peter Barry
Club: James Stephens.
Age: 25. Height: 6 ft.
A top-class player, he'll need to be on his toes with Johnny Pilkington but if anyone can cope with the threat he can. He'll have to be alert to breaking ball rather than dropping ball but he's well capable of that and can move the ball effectively. He's a big-game player.
8. Andy Comerford
Club: O'Loughlin Gaels.
Age: 27. Height: 6 ft 2 in.
AN attacking midfielder, he's been in and out of the team with injury but when fit, he's the established man in the position. Has a tendency to run more than he should but those solos can be effective and led to the goal against Galway and are difficult to counteract.
9. Brian McEvoy
Club: James Stephens.
Age: 26. Height: 5 ft 11 in.
A BEAUTIFUL hurler, his possible absence with injury casts a shadow over the team. At centrefield he sacrifices some of his scoring potential but is also effective. In the Leinster final, he dropped back and picked up ball and I felt he got the better of Johnny Dooley.
10. Denis Byrne
Club: Graigue-Ballycallan.
Age: 25. Height: 6 ft.
HE has begun to deliver in the last two seasons. He's up against a tough marker in Kevin Martin. It'll be very difficult to follow up eight points in a semi-final. This time he needs to be a team player if necessary and lay off rather than go for his own scores all the time.
11. John Power
Club: John Lockes.
Age: 34. Height: 6 ft 1 in.
THE hub of the team. Everything comes from him. He's been the most influential player and without his hard work, they wouldn't be the same team. He was blamed excessively for last year even though he was only one of a number of forwards not playing well.
12. John Hoyne
Club: Graigue-Ballycallan.
Age: 22. Height: 6 ft 1 in.
NOT that controversial a selection as he has shown good form recently and picking form players is sensible. He may be used to put pressure on Brian Whelahan in the air although he is a natural centre forward.
13. Charlie Carter
Club: Young Irelands.
Age: 29. Height: 5 ft 7 in.
LAST year was a sickener for him after getting the chance to wrap up the All-Ireland and shooting just over. This full forward line is extremely dangerous. He's fast but Ollie Canning had the pace to mark him in the semi-final but he will use his experience against Claffey.
14. DJ Carey
Club: Young Irelands.
Age: 29. Height: 5 ft 11 in.
DJ is DJ. His goals turned the Leinster final and the semi-final against Galway. He and Kevin Kinahan know each other well and he has scored well off him. A great hand-passer and if there's decent low ball he'll be quick out and will try to place players inside.
15. Henry Shefflin
Club: Shamrocks Ballyhale.
Age: 21. Height: 6 ft 2 in.
HE played very well on Simon Whelahan in the Leinster final. Kilkenny deliberately put high ball into his corner. He's a good goalscorer but with Kevin Kinahan so comfortable under dropping ball, he'll hardly be moved in. He has a lazy style and isn't very pacy.
