Meet the Kilkenny team
1 James McGarry
Club: Bennettsbridge
Age: 34 Height: 6 ft Weight: 13st
Occupation: JCB operator
Not at his best this season and uncomfortable in the semi-final. Unspectacular but very reliable over an extended period. Needs to improve puck-outs to maximise his half forwards' chances. Behind a rearranged full-back line he has a lot on his plate.
2 Michael Kavanagh
Club: St Lachtain's
Age: 27 Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 12st 5lbs
Occupation: Insurance official
I'm surprised at the difficulty he has in nailing down a place. He can't have been going well in training if Jackie Tyrell was getting into the corner ahead of him. Good distributor but he found Deane difficult two years ago. Likely to switch corners.
3 Noel Hickey
Club: Dunamaggin
Age: 25 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 13st 7lb
Occupation: Farmer
This is his only position but he hasn't recaptured the form he had before last year's illness. Eugene Cloonan caused him no end of trouble in the quarter-final when he last played full back. He'll be particularly fired up by memories of the 2004 final.
4 Jackie Tyrell (Captain)
Club: James Stephens
Age: 24 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 13st 8lb
Occupation: Limerick IT student
Came out from the corner against Clare and is a good player but more suited to a central defensive role. Strong in the air and a good striker albeit a bit one-sided off his left. Physically powerful but a bit slow and is likely to move out again at some stage.
5 James Ryall
Club: Graigue Ballycallan
Age: 25 Height: 6ft 3in Weight: 13st
Occupation: Sales representative
Much underestimated player. When he was corner back I thought he'd end up as a centre back in the Pat Henderson mould. He's a bit slow on the turn and might be vulnerable turning back towards own goal but well capable of a barnstorming performance.
6 John Tennyson
Club: Carrickshock
Age: 21 Height: 6ft 1in Weight: 14st
Occupation: Student
Has done very well for a young player replacing Peter Barry. Great physical presence but sometimes finds it hard to clear under pressure. Capable of holding the centre but is just back from injury with a history of shoulder dislocation going into the year's biggest game.
7 Tommy Walsh
Club: Tullaroan
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 12st 11lb
Occupation: Investment manager
One of my favourite hurlers. After a settled season it would be great if he could complete it at number seven but may well be on fire-brigade duty instead. I'd be surprised if he is not marking Joe Deane, who can be sure of a torrid time. Key battle.
8 James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick
Club: Ballyhale Shamrocks
Age: 21 Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 11st
Occupation: Student.
Playing him at centre forward was never going to work but I thought he'd go to 13 where there's a need. But at midfield he's had a great year and is a smashing hurler. Got a magnificent point against Clare even if he overdid the shooting.
9 Derek Lyng
Club: Emeralds
Age: 28 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st 7lb
Occupation: GlaxoSmithKline representative
A throwback to the more muscular midfielders of a few years back but he's well able to play and has a fantastic engine. Capable of travelling with Tom Kenny, he won plenty of ball in the final two years ago.
10 Richie Power
Club: Carrickshock
Age: 20 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st
Occupation: Student
Has a big future at half forward or midfield but I'd be surprised if he is physically 100 per cent after a long lay-off. Doubts concern match fitness rather than ability. But if on his game he has the physique and hurling to trouble Ó hAilpín.
11 Henry Shefflin
Club: Ballyhale Shamrocks
Age: 27 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 13st 7lb
Occupation: Ford Credit Finance
Without Henry, it would be all over. The team's best forward since 2000. Physically strong with a super touch and very accurate. Not afraid to shoot under pressure. Will he get the support? If Kilkenny win he's likely to be Man of the Match.
12 Eoin Larkin
Club: James Stephens
Age: 22 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st 7lb
Occupation: Soldier
His best position is centre forward but he's not going to get much of a run there. He's come a long way but is still unproven. Has appeared to tire in matches, which is the last thing you need against the Cork half backs.
13 Eddie Brennan
Club: Graigue-Ballycallan
Age: 27 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 12st 9lb
Occupation: Garda
Having a very good year. At the end against Galway, when they needed someone to win hard ball, he delivered. But he has had a chequered finals career at corner forward as he has got anxious and nervy waiting for ball to come in.
14 Martin Comerford
Club: O'Loughlin Gaels
Age: 27 Height: 6ft 4in Weight: 14st
Occupation: Sales representative
He'd be more of a scorer in the full-forward line and has done well against Diarmuid O'Sullivan. Will alternate with Shefflin on Curran. Good ball winner, who will run at defences and is not afraid of getting hurt, but shooting beyond 30 yards is unreliable.
15 Aidan Fogarty
Club: Emeralds
Age: 24 Height: 6ft Weight: 12st
Occupation: Electronics engineer
Very impressed with him in the League. A bit like Lar Corbett - unorthodox, very fast and a good finisher. Disappointed by his lack of impact against Clare but he's obviously impressing at training. Finals sometimes throw up dark horses and he could be one.
