The many appealing aspects of tomorrow's Bank of Ireland football final should not blind us to the possibility of disappointment, but we live in hope. Then again, at least some of the anticipation of a feast of open football rests on jaundiced perceptions of each defence as much as on the quality of the two attacks. In common with a lot of consensus opinion, that may not be as straightforward as it appears.

Galway's defensive failings in particular have been oversold. Some improvement has been allowed the Kerry defence on the basis of the second half of the replay with Armagh. Although Galway aren't likely to decide - as the Ulster champions did - that playing rope-a-dope is a sensible tactic, Kerry's half-backs may have grown in confidence as a result of the rehabilitation.

Precedent is not binding on this year's final. Neither team this season has faced the sort of opposition tomorrow will bring. Galway have yet to face a marksman as dangerous as Michael Francis Russell or Maurice Fitzgerald when he makes his inevitable appearance. Kerry have yet to come across a side with such a sense of adventure as Galway's - and feasible adventure at that.

In the bookmakers the match is fairly evenly called. In the land of punditry, Galway are seen to have a distinct advantage. Whatever the public may make of the competing claims of bookmakers and pundits, the view here is that the latter have it right.

Arguments in favour of Kerry are based on a few planks: that their progress has been more competitive, that their defence is sufficiently improved, their centrefield superior and their attack more productive.

Difficulty of passage shouldn't be a factor for Galway. Eleven of their team played in the All-Ireland two years ago and if the pedestrian quality of the Connacht campaign was going to undo them, it would have done so against Kildare.

There can be no doubting that Kerry's nerve against Armagh was impressive. Coming from a point down deep in injury-time and re-establishing control of what looked like a lost match in the replay will have done wonders for confidence, but things aren't going to happen as conveniently tomorrow.

For a start, Galway attack whereas Armagh defend. Galway's instinct is as expansive as Armagh's was restrictive. And under pressure, Kerry have not inspired anyone with confidence. The Munster champions have justifiable belief in their full-back line. Seamus Moynihan has been a class turn in his adopted position and Michael McCarthy's marking has been tight and efficient.

Yet, as pointed out by Joe Brolly on last week's Sunday Game, Moynihan's instinct is not that of a full back. He attacks the ball too enthusiastically at times, even if his blocking and tackling is excellent. Against Padraig Joyce this will be dangerous even if, generally, the Kerry captain will expect to break even with his Galway counterpart. Ever since Kerry's second-half meltdown against Cork, the loss of their captain on the half-back line has been obvious. Without him on the apron of the attack, Kerry have lacked an authoritative platform.

McCarthy hasn't yet met a corner forward as quick over 10 metres as Derek Savage. The Kerryman will compete flawlessly, but his very attributes may prove hazardous if Savage gets there first. In the other corner, Niall Finnegan is made for Mike Hassett, but you could as easily frame that the other way around. Finnegan's free-taking sometimes disguises the fact that he is a good scorer from play and if he gets chances he will make them count.

In any case, Galway's half forwards may do more damage. Paul Clancy's speed and wit were missed two years ago and his presence goes some way to redressing the balance in the light of the injury to Jarlath Fallon. Kerry's Tomas O Se will track Michael Donnellan and is quick and determined enough for the job, but will he want to go to all the places Donnellan visits?

Centrefield is seen as one area where Kerry will do well. Darragh O Se had a good second half the last day, but - despite a fine All-Ireland three years ago - he has frequently lacked consistency on the big day. Galway's height advantage is so pronounced that they should be able to break almost any ball they choose and on, those breaks, the season's evidence is that Galway's half lines are a better bet.

Kerry's preference for Maurice Fitzgerald on the bench is justifiable, with one reservation. It's obvious that the management don't fully trust his fitness over 70 minutes, but if the final is lost on frees missed early on, the inquest won't be pretty for Paidi O Se and his selectors.

Otherwise there are plenty of options in Kerry's attack when it comes to shuffling the deck and a few candidates are likely to try their hand at full forward, but with the exception of Russell, the forwards have been patchy. Galway's Ray Silke is being measured for a shroud in this corner, but this is an old and generally futile pastime.

Whoever marks Russell will concede scores but, within reason, Galway can live with that. Live and prosper.

Galway (substitutes list) - P Lally, R Fahey, J Killeen, K Walsh, M Colleran, S Walsh, J Donnellan, K Comer, L Colleran.