Offaly

1. Stephen Byrne

Club: Kilcormac/Killoughey.

Age: 24. Height: 5 ft 10 in.

CAN often be a spectacular goalkeeper but may not be playing quite as well as he was two years ago, when he had an outstanding summer. A little bit over-confident at times, and that means he can sometimes catch a ball and then drop it, which may prove fatal. Can't afford to make any mistakes tomorrow.

2. Simon Whelahan

Club: Birr.

Age: 24. Height: 5 ft 7 in.

SOMEWHAT small in stature but makes up for that with some exceptional defending. Played superbly in the second half against Cork when Offaly players needed to stand up and be counted and he did exactly that. Continues to gain experience but will be one of the key players in shutting out the Kilkenny forwards.

3. Kevin Kinahan

Club: Seir Kieran.

Age: 28. Height: 6 ft 2 in.

ANOTHER of the well-worn players in this Offaly team. He can often look slow and ponderous but he has seldom been taken to the cleaners. Key position in marking DJ Carey but that's a job he's been doing for something like six years now. But he will have to watch him for the full 70 minutes, something which is nearly impossible to do.

4. Niall Claffey

Club: Birr.

Age: 22. Height: 6 ft.

ONE of the younger and more inexperienced players in the defence. He has impressed the management enough to secure his place this year and he does have some excellent pace. He is also a strong striker of the ball but could be in trouble against Charlie Carter. Definitely a player for the future.

5. Brian Whelahan

Club: Birr.

Age: 29. Height: 5 ft 11 in.

WHAT can you say about this player that has not already been said. Exceptional even on his ordinary days and will be another key figure here. He has been troubled with the return of an old hamstring injury this year but he wouldn't be playing if he wasn't right. I expect him to produce another crucial display.

6. Joe Errity

Club: Birr.

Age: 30. Height: 5 ft 10 in.

VERY much the forgotten man in this team. Against Cork, he played the 70 minutes without hardly being noticed and yet his man was taken off. That's the ultimate sign that he had done his job effectively in controlling centre back. Of course he has the pivotal positioning alongside John Power and the winner of that battle is sure to have a major effect on the result.

7. Kevin Martin

Club: Tullamore.

Age: 27. Height: 6 ft 1 in.

HAS been there a number of years now and has already won two All-Irelands. A strong and forceful type of player but is a little prone to injury. Won't lack the confidence or the experience to take on the Kilkenny forwards but again he will have to deliver a strong performance if Offaly are to contain them.

8. Johnny Dooley

Club: Seir Kieran.

Age: 28. Height: 5 ft 11 in.

ONE of the best midfield players in the game. He can be tremendously effective going forward, as well as taking the frees and scoring from out the field. He will have to improve his defensive play that little bit tomorrow, which has been his only real area of trouble. Otherwise, can be a definite match-winner.

9. Ger Oakley

Club: Carrig and Riverstown.

Age: 22. Height: 6 ft 1 in.

HAS got a fantastic run with the team this year and has gained some real confidence. Has justified his selection with some sound performances. He does have a slight tendency to over-run the ball which can be a problem but he did an awful lot of work against Cork and picked off one inspirational point which helped kill them off.

10. Johnny Pilkington

Club: Birr.

Age: 30. Height: 5 ft 10 in.

IN many ways has been the surprise of this team at right half forward. He has scored a handful of points in the last couple of games which probably went unnoticed and yet helped settle the team. If he gets inside the half back line, Kilkenny will be in a spot of bother. Has plenty of experience as well.

11. Gary Hanniffy

Club: Birr.

Age: 23. Height: 6 ft 5 in.

ONE of the biggest and strongest players in the team. He showed against Cork that he has the ability to vary his game, especially as he started out by pulling on high balls against Brian Corcoran and then switching to catching in the second. He played very impressively that day and picked off three points and will be a key attacker tomorrow.

12. Brendan Murphy

Club: Ballyskenach.

Age: 19. Height: 5 ft 10 in.

A GREAT find for Offaly this year in that he can play anywhere in the forward line. He went to midfield against Cork where he proved equally effective. Very quick and a very good striker of the ball, he is one of the youngest players on the field and yet is capable of making a huge impression.

13. Michael Duignan

Club: St Rynagh's.

Age: 32. Height: 6 ft 1 in.

FEW players have been around longer and he has been the most versatile player of the Offaly team in the last decade. He could end up at centre forward, at full forward, or half back. Though he hasn't had a huge game to date this season, there is no better time for him to prove that he still has what it takes to win an All-Ireland.

14. John Ryan

Club: St Rynagh's.

Age: 24. Height: 6 ft 2 in.

ANOTHER big and bustling forward who has improved an awful lot over the last few years. Hasn't been scoring near as much as he would have liked this year and will have to bottle up Noel Hickey to make any impression. But he does have the size and strength to make it difficult for the Kilkenny man.

15. Joe Dooley

Club: Seir Kieran.

Age: 36. Height: 6 ft 2 in.

THERE is little doubt that he has only played in spots this year, but there is a tremendous radar between himself and his brother Johnny which can prove very effective. Will have to be on his game and will have to take his scores but he is in the incredible position now of looking for his fourth AllIreland winning medal.