1. Stephen ByrneAge: 22
Height: 5' 11["]
Weight: 12st 7lb
Club: Kilcormac/Killoughey
His debut season has been marked by breath-taking displays against Clare in the protracted semi-final. Reflecting the progress of the team, he grew from merely dependable in the first match to spectacular on day three, when his shot-stopping saved four goals. Lively and commanding, with a good puckout.
2. Simon Whelahan
Age: 22
Height: 5 9["]
Weight: 11st 2lb
Club: Birr
The only newcomer in a vastly experienced defence. Eye-catching displays in Birr's club success set the scene for his arrival - ironically at the expense of brother Barry. Struggled in the second Clare match, but his tenacity and brio have lifted the team's morale, particularly in the first semi-final.
3. Kevin Kinahan
Age: 26
Height: 6 2["]
Weight: 13st 1lb
Club: Seir Kieran
After injury sidelined him earlier in the year, Kinahan has made steady progress. A little hesitant at times during the semi-final, he nonetheless improved and on the third day approached his 1995 form. Sometimes wayward in his clearances, he has a good championship record against Kilkenny.
4. Martin Hanamy
Age: 31
Height: 5 11["]
Weight: 12st
Club: St Rynagh's
Hanamy must be the most consistent defender in the country over the last 10 years. A dominant marker and a great leadership figure at the back, his season - like the team's - peaked in Thurles where he commanded the whole full-back line and subdued anyone to whom he turned his attention.
5. Brian Whelahan
Age: 27
Height: 5 11["]
Weight: 11st 1lb
Club: Birr
Restored to the wing, Whelahan is an immense influence on the team. Performance has, with the exception of the second Clare match (and even then his move into the forwards sparked the revival), been up to his highest standards sweeping behind the line and launching those soaring clearances.
6. Hubert Rigney
Age: 27
Height: 5 11["]
Weight: 12st 2lb
Club: St Rynagh's
When Kevin Kinahan's future looked doubtful, Rigney was groomed for the full back role, but, with that switch unnecessary, he has reverted to familiar surroundings. Badly missed in the Leinster final, he has been quietly authoritative since and held the line in all three Clare matches with distinction.
7. Kevin Martin
Age: 25
Height: 6 2["]
Weight: 12st 7lb Club: Tullamore
A good season for Martin, whose physique and athleticism make him formidable as a marker and clearer of the ball. He is also a quick thinker and constantly alert - blocking Jamesie O'Connor's mis-hit free in Thurles and PJ Delaney's shot in the Leinster final, a stop he turned into a goal at the other end.
8. Johnny Pilkington
Age: 28
Height: 5 10["]
Weight: 11st 5lb
Club: Birr
A difficult year for Pilkington who struggled in Birr's club campaign before pulling out his best performance in the final. Pacy, incisive solos of old are now more rationed, and doesn't always concentrate at centrefield. But can cause trouble in attack and saved the first semi-final.
9. Michael Duignan
Age: 29
Height: 6 1["]
Weight: 13st
Club: St Rynagh's
This has been Duignan's best year. Michael Bond's tactic of constant changing and switching seems to have kept him alert and he made a big impact against Clare (including the one that might have cost him a suspension in the second match). His performance was heroic in the third meeting.
10. Johnny Dooley
Age: 26 Height: 5 11["]
Weight: 11st 7lb
Club: Seir Kieran
His cobra strike at Wexford set up the season. Will probably move to centrefield at some stage if not from the start. The switch to the middle during the second Clare match revitalised his season. He has a lot of club experience in the middle and his measured striking is a rich source for the attack.
11. Joe Errity
Age: 28
Height: 5 10["]
Weight: 12st 6lb
Club: Birr A GREAT battling input to the semi-final after a knee injury placed a question mark over his season. His introduction was a vital part of the comeback in the second Clare match, when his dogged bursts gave the attack a physical focus. Mentally tough in the dispatch of his penalty the same day.
12. An Other
Age: 22
Height: 5 10["]
Weight: 12st
Club: St Rynagh's
Paudie Mulhare is marginally favoured to gain favour in this position ahead of rival Gary Hanniffy, despite the latter's three great points in Thurles. Mulhare has had a couple of good outings, against Wexford and the first Clare match, but the death of his father three weeks ago understandably rattled him.
13. John Troy
Age: 27
Height: 5 10["]
Weight: 11st 3lb
Club: Lusmagh
Doesn't appear to have completely got over his car accident of last month. Up until then, Troy was having a very good year. Is known not to like playing in the corner and probably won't. Offaly would prefer if his subtle repertoire of flicks and his masterful striking moved the ball from further out.
14. Joe Dooley
Age: 34
Height: 6
Weight: 12st 4lb
Club: Seir Kieran
This doesn't look that likely, although a school of thought in Offaly says that the scoring hero of the win over Clare may well be detailed to try to entice Pat O'Neill away from goal. Dooley's main threat will be as a floating attacker, picking up ball and snapping points in pursuit of a third All-Ireland.
15. Billy Dooley
Age: 29
Height: 5 10["]
Weight: 11st 5lb
Club: Seir Kieran
Back to something resembling the form that made him Offaly's main strike forward in the All-Ireland win of 1994. In the hectic rush of the second Clare match, he paid his way. Has shown improved workrate in the semi-finals, but may end up in the forbidding company of Willie O'Connor.
