1 DAVID HERITY (Dunamaggin)
Age: 29 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st
Occupation: Primary teacher
He was a bit anxious in the Tipperary match and poor for the goal but otherwise he’s had an efficient season. There were wasn’t much more he could have done in the Leinster final and his distribution is good.
2 PAUL MURPHY (Danesfort)
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 14st
Occupation: Army
Has largely maintained the form of an outstanding debut season. In the Leinster final he went down in the same tornado as the rest of the team but overall he is very, competitive and a sticky marker. Top class.
3 JJ DELANEY (Fenians Johnstown)
Age: 30 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 12st 4lbs
Occupation: Sales representative.
Having been a big fan of him at seven, I’d concede it’s not an option now. Superb in the air, his absence from the Leinster final left the team looking very vulnerable. For me, the man to mark Canning.
4 JACKIE TYRRELL (James Stephens)
Age: 30 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 15st
Occupation: Sales representative Glanbia
Excellent and hurled hard against Dublin but very poorly under pressure against Galway. Well on top against Tipp, he will be fired up. Will also be aware of speculation about a stricter refereeing dispensation.
5 TOMMY WALSH (Tullaroan)
Age: 29 Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 12st
Occupation: Bank of Ireland official
One of the all-time greats although it hasn’t been one of his better years. Improved against Limerick when he was central to the Kilkenny rally and never troubled by Tipp, other than to decide where to lead the dance.
6 BRIAN HOGAN (Carrickshock)
Age: 31 Height: 6ft 4in Weight: 14st
Occupation: Medical representative
The bulwark of a defence that rarely gets breached. It happened in the Leinster final but he’d no chance behind a decimated midfield, which is unlikely to happen again. Physically imposing and great in the air. Irreplaceable.
7 KIERAN JOYCE (Rower-Inistioge)
Age: 25 Height: 6ft Weight: 14st 2lbs
Occupation: Student WIT
Has done well to take his chances against Tipp and Limerick and displace Richie Doyle. He’s more of a man marker but also more physically mature – and more physical – as well as combative and well able to hurl.
8 MICHAEL FENNELLY (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Age: 27 Height: 6ft 3in Weight: 14st 7lbs
Occupation: Ulster Bank
Last year’s outstanding player, his injury this season has held him back but he was well into his stride in the semi-final. He’s an unbelievable athlete and for his size, a serious hurler. The top midfielder in the country.
9 RICHIE HOGAN (Danesfort)
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 9in Weight: 12st
Occupation:Student, University of Limerick
Has matured in the past couple of years and gone from being non-essential to delivering significantly in the past two seasons. Good touch and more combative, it’s no real surprise he’s back after suspension.
10 HENRY SHEFFLIN (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Age: 32 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14st
Occupation: Bank of Ireland Finance
Deserves the ninth All-Ireland medal. He’s been great for the sport and has survived unbelievable injuries. Maybe not the player he was but still clocking up scores. Has corrected recent malfunction in his frees.
11 TJ REID (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Age: 23 Height: 6ft 2 Weight: 14st
Occupation: Sales rep, Connolly's Redmills
Irritated by the “super sub” tag, he has done enough in the last two matches to start tomorrow. Outstanding in the air, you can never rule out wides but accuracy has improved. At his best, he’s a significant influence.
12 EOIN LARKIN (James Stephens)
Age: 27 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st
Occupation: Army
In the league final he looked fitter than ever and on for a huge year but he hasn’t been playing with the usual confidence. Touch more hesitant and looks jumpy on the ball so his scoring and distribution have suffered.
13 COLIN FENNELLY (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Age: 22 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 13st 10lbs
Occupation: Army
A great prospect since his under-21 days, who maybe hasn’t yet filled out physically. First touch isn’t the crispest but will always run at defences, which means trouble because of his pace and improving finishing.
14 RICHIE POWER (Carrickshock)
Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st
Occupation: Sales rep Kinetica Sports
Every time he seems on the brink of greatness injury or some other disruption intervenes. Some of his play is immaculate. Capable of being man of the match but form is patchy.
15 AIDAN FOGARTY (Emeralds)
Age: 30 Height: 6ft Weight: 12st
Occupation: Electronics engineer
A serious addition to the team after the Leinster final, he’s recovered from a bad injury. Unorthodox and hard to block or hook, he goes hard to the ball – no-one goes harder – and reputation is high after the semi-final.
