Head-to-Head Declan O'Sullivan v Ger Spillane (Analysis by John O'Keeffe)"Declan has been oozing class all summer, be it in front of goal or gathering breaking ball out the field. The freedom he has been afforded by coming farther out the field further highlights his creative genius and along with the Gooch he now runs the Kerry attack.
"By moving away from goal - although he still popped up inside at crucial moments against Monaghan and Dublin - Declan has proved a handful to mark. While there has been talk of Noel O'Leary being handed this task of shadowing him, I can't see the Cork wingback being allowed come inside, where the heavy traffic might prove too tempting for a player with his disciplinary record.
"Ger Spillane possesses all the attributes required for a centre back. He is solid, safe under the high ball and combative in the scrap for breaking ball. He will, however, need to curtail his tendency to break forward if O'Sullivan is to be tamed.
"Spillane has the strength and mobility to stay with O'Sullivan, but to deny the front runner for footballer of the year from driving Kerry to back-to-back All-Irelands is the most difficult task on Sunday."
Go Figure
Cork are looking to capture their seventh All-Ireland title on Sunday, a feat that would put them joint fourth alongside semi-final scalp Meath in the overall role of honour.
Three of those All-Irelands were achieved with the assistance of Billy Morgan who was captain and goalkeeper in 1973 when they beat Galway 3-17 to 2-13 and then manager in 1989 and 1990. Morgan has also experienced three All-Ireland final defeats.
In 1967 they lost to Meath 1-9 to 0-9 and the Royals triumphed again in 1987, while Derry clinched a first ever title at Cork's expense in 1993.
Backdoor Cork are seeking to emulate Galway (2001), Tyrone (2005) and Kerry (2006) by becoming the fourth county to win the All-Ireland via the qualifiers.
Summer changes
We dipped into the summer reports to see how the Kerry and Cork teams have evolved since their opening games in this year's championship.
Kerry got things running with a 2-15 to 0-4 cakewalk over Waterford in front of 3,500 at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on June 3rd. There has been two changes in personnel since with Séamus Scanlon replacing basketballer Micheál Quirke (which he also did that day) in midfield and Bryan Sheehan ousting Mike Frank Russell from the corner forward slot. Positional switches see Declan O'Sullivan move to centre forward and Eoin Brosnan on the wing.
Cork proved far superior to Limerick in their May 20th opener in front of 6,711 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, winning 2-14 to 0-7. Not much change here either, except of course the absence of injured Anthony Lynch at wing back.
Curtain-raiser
There is only one change to the minor selections ahead of Sunday's final with Galway corner back Eanna Glynn preferred ahead of Declan Rhattigan from the impressive victory over Kerry.
Derry remain unchanged from the semi-final replay win over fancied Leinster champions Laois.They are seeking a fifth title and first since 2005, while Galway's minor football famine stretches back to 1986.
DERRY: A Warnock; M McKinney, C McWilliams, D Bell; C McKaigue, J Francis Bradley, B Henry; J Kielt (capt), C O'Boyle; S Cleary, A Heron, D Mullan; N Forrester, G McGeehan, L Moore.
GALWAY: O Higgins; E Glynn, C Forde, K Kelly; C Doherty, D O'Reilly, T Fahy; P Conroy (capt), A Griffin; JJ Greaney, T Walsh, J O'Brien; J Ryan, M Martyn, D Reddington.
