GAA: Given the contrasting nature of the Cork and Kilkenny styles, this year's All-Ireland final promises to draw the best of the tactical flair that both Brian Cody and Donal O'Grady possess in abundance.

Although the weighting of heavy favouritism towards Kilkenny is understandable, I believe we are in for an absorbing contest.

The most salient reference point to this game is 1999. I think it is a date that holds more resonance for Kilkenny. In short, I believe that at the heart of Brian Cody's motivation lies a desire to correct that final defeat by JBM's young Cork team. Of course, tomorrow's encounter carries echoes of that day, with a young Cork side coming up against a widely acclaimed Kilkenny team. But the changes Cody has painstakingly constructed - while on the way collecting a couple of All-Irelands - have been designed to ensure history cannot repeat itself here.

The 1999 Kilkenny model was probably more flamboyant than this team. Now, we are presented with players of stature - skilful but primarily powerful. DJ alone is the inverse of this rule in the forward line.

Strength and flexibility are the key to the success of Kilkenny's forward line. Even if Tommy Walsh is unable to reclaim full fitness, I do not think his absence will hinder the elasticity and power of the forward unit. They have a strong centrefield and a half-back line that has been dominant, with Seán Dowling displaying a maturity to match the accomplished JJ Delaney and Peter Barry, a key figure.

For all their gifted hurlers, they are a tremendously workmanlike unit. Their training has consisted of flat-out games, no quarter asked, and they play at a ferocious tempo and constantly back one another up. Chinks are few, though arguably Noel Hickey has had an up-and-down season at full back and Young James Ryall may have his hands full with Setanta Ó hAilpín. But from a Cork perspective, there is not a lot to exploit.

If Cork are to win, everything must go right. They are, however, past masters at making things go right in All-Ireland finals. They are under little pressure; overall, they are a young and coming team. Of their half-back line, which has performed heroically, only Seán Óg Ó hAilpín is not a novice. They have a young midfielder in John Gardiner, who is enjoying a good season along with Ronan Curran and Tom Kenny.

Cork will run. It is their Plan A. Mickey O'Connell - maligned but performing well and to my view with more discipline than in 1999 - likes to gallop, and the half-forwards, Ben O'Connor and the McCarthys, like to square up against their markers and run at them. To this end, the duel between Peter Barry and Niall McCarthy is critical. Cork must burst through Kilkenny's half-back line but can they succeed? A more likely scenario is the Kilkenny backs inviting their attackers up blind allies.

Potential bright spots for Cork are the superb Wayne Sherlock, who will need to hurl a lot of ball and should have his way with Eddie Brennan, Seán Óg, who has not let Cork down, and Joe Deane, who will probably take Noel Hickey roaming.

Setanta's form against Philly Larkin in the league last Easter hastened the latter's demotion but will the wunderkind have his own way against James Ryall, a defender that almost matches him for height? The short answer is that he must.

We can anticipate switches. Where Henry Shefflin plays will be interesting and Diarmuid O'Sullivan will move to the edge of the square. This time, however, long high ball will not rain down on him; it will be low and oblique and troubling. If Kilkenny get in the mood and begin dominating midfield and closing Cork's half forwards down, then the Cork backs are in for an afternoon busier than they have yetexperienced.

Naturally, Cork will be utterly disappointed if they lose but they are a young team and have had an excellent season. The stakes are different for Kilkenny. This game is the culmination of several seasons' work, and after all the fuss surrounding the Carter controversy, this is their time to silence any final doubts and take a step towards becoming the first great hurling team of the new century.

Such expectation brings its own pressure. Kilkenny have not had to hurl hard for 70 minutes and if Cork are still there in the last 10 minutes, then they could well take the game.

But the story of this season has been Kilkenny and it is theirs to close out. Failure at this juncture would be regarded as monumental. The champions to prevail by three or four points.