1. Declan O'Keeffe

Age: 25. Height: 5' 10". Weight: 13st 7oz. Club: Rathmore. GAINED an erratic reputation last year - a little unfairly - on the basis of an accidental goal during a deluge in Clonmel. This season, his reliability has been above reproach and the save from Peter Reilly in the semi-final against Cavan was as crucial as it was topclass.

2. Killian Burns

Age: 22. Height: 5' 11". Weight: 12st. Club: Sneem. ABSENT from the semi-final because of an insect bite sustained in the swamps of Killarney, Burns was always favourite to reclaim the spot despite the competition. More of a footballing corner back than an out-and-out stopper.

3. Barry O'Shea

Age: 21. Height: 6' 1". Weight: 14st. Club: Kerins O'Rahilly's. THE transition from under-21 corner back to senior full back took in a convincing Sigerson campaign with eventual winners Tralee RTC. Has been shown to be vulnerable in the air, a perilous failing with Liam McHale joining him on the square.

4. Stephen Stack

Age: 30. Height: 5' 11". Weight: 13st. Club: Listowel Emmets. A PROTECTED species in Kerry - the last medallist from 1986 still playing on the senior panel - Stack's experience has made him a steady choice in the chaotic world of Kerry's corner back options. Came in for the Cavan match and played efficiently on dangerman Larry Reilly.

5. Seamus Moynihan

Age: 23. Height: 5' 11". Weight: 13st. Club: Glenfesk. VIGOUR, athleticism and vision make him an outstanding player who, thanks to an early senior debut, is now a sixseason veteran at the age of 23. Moynihan pays for his versatility by being moved all over the field either as part of new tactical configurations or as a fire engine during matches.

6. Liam Flaherty

Age: 27. Height: 6'. Weight: 13st 6oz. Club: Ballydonoghue. SOMETHING of a surprise choice at centre back this year despite long service on the flanks of the defence or at centrefield. A formidable physical presence, Flaherty occasionally looks uncomfortable anchoring the defence and can use his physique a bit too indiscriminately at times.

7. Eamonn Breen

Age: 27. Height: 6'. Weight: 13st. Club: Finuge. BEFORE Flaherty's arrival, Breen was the hard man in the half line but one with a flair for attack which yielded an early goal in the 1995 Munster final and another controversially disallowed effort against Cavan last month. Solid at the back but has a tendency to foul.

8. Dara O Se

Age: 22. Height: 6' 1". Weight: 13st 7oz. Club: Gaeltacht. A MUCH improved season for O Se hasn't always coincided with a satisfactory return for the team. He played well against Tipperary but disappointed in the Munster final before having a creditable - if initially difficult - outing on Cavan's Dermot McCabe.

9. William Kirby

Age: 22. Height: 6'. Weight: 13st. Club: Austin Stacks. KIRBY'S inconsistent season was on an upswing against Cavan and although Stephen King saw a lot of ball, it was generally in very deep positions. A fine fielder, he dominated this year's Sigerson final and is most effective when moving the ball quickly, but has a tendency to drift.

10. Pa Laide

Age: 25. Height: 5' 10". Weight: 12st 7oz. Club: Austin Stacks. A GOOD campaign for Laide after a career severely disrupted by injury, culminated with his pyrotechnics in the Munster final. Pacy, elusive and good on the ball, he is the spark of unpredictability in the half forwards. Connelly will be his stiffest test to date.

11. Liam Hassett

Age: 22. Height: 6' 2". Weight: 13st. Club: Laune Rangers. HASSETT leads the attack although full forward, where he plays for his club, might suit him better tomorrow. He has a tendency to allow his marker too much freedom, all very well when Cavan's Bernard Morris made so little of the space but potentially lethal given Nallen's roadrunner inclinations.

12. Denis Dwyer

Age: 21. Height: 5' 11". Weight: 12st 13oz. Club: Waterville. A SLIGHT doubt hung over his selection after his semi-final injury and Billy O'Shea's successful appearance as replacement. Dwyer has recovered and lends a solid and productive presence to the wing from where he clipped the crucial goal against Tipperary in the first outing.

13. Billy O'Shea

Age: 25. Height: 5' 8 1/2". Weight: 11st 4oz. Club: Laune Rangers. HE has fought hard to overcome poor form and has been rewarded for seizing his chance in the semi-final. Brian Clarke is unfortunate to lose out but if O'Shea

is on his game, his pace and industry will presumably be unleashed in a deeper role which will cause problems for Mayo.

14. Dara O Cinneide

Age: 22. Height: 5' 10". Weight: 12st 7oz. Club: Gaeltacht. ALTHOUGH O Cinneide showed tirelessly for the ball against Cavan and used it intelligently, he has yet to marshal the full range of his talents this season. Full forward was his best position last year but it represents a radical change in emphasis at this stage. Will probably end up tracked by Mortimer.

15. Maurice Fitzgerald

Age: 27. Height: 6' 2". Weight: 13st 7oz. Club: St Mary's Cahirciveen. FINALLY, one of the great names in football reaches the big stage. Fitzgerald has everything in his weaponry except a bit of pace but his strength in the air, flawless technique and awareness all but make up for the deficiency. Placekicking is less precise than usual but general play has been devastating.