1. Cormac Sullivan
Age: 22.
Height: 6'4["]
Club: St Patrick's.
HAS BEEN very reliable throughout the championship and is exceptionally good under the high ball. Has a long and varied kick-out, usually going in search of McDermott. Worked hard to keep his place ahead of Conor Martin.
2. Mark O'Reilly
Age: 22.
Height: 5'9["].
Club: Summerhill.
ONE OF the more tenacious and tight-marking corner backs in the country. Also comfortable with a roaming corner forward and I expect either himself or Cormac Murphy will be sent out after Don Davis.
3. Darren Fay
Age: 23.
Height: 6'2["].
Club: Trim.
A GOOD but unspectacular season, and he picked up minor injuries against Armagh and Offaly. Most attackers will try and take him out from the square, but it suits him to stay close to the goal. The most effective and dependable full back in the country.
4. Cormac Murphy
Age: 28.
Height: 6'0["].
Club: St Patrick's.
HAS HAD one of his most impressive seasons to date and now completes the best full-back line in the country at the moment. Tight-marking, but also mobile and, like Mark O'Reilly, will be able for any job asked of him.
5. Paddy Reynolds
Age: 22.
Height: 5'10["].
Club: Walterstown.
A MUCH improved player from that who played in the 1996-winning side. Probably at his best going forward and also very good at picking up the breaks. High catching is not his greatest strength, but he has an excellent work-rate.
6. Enda McManus
Age: 27.
Height: 6'0["].
Club: St Peter's, Dunboyne.
HIS MAIN strength is to block up the middle, like he did against Mayo in 1996 when he stayed back off Colm McMenaman. But he can also do a man-marking job and is also one of the leaders on the field.
7. Hank Traynor
Age: 24.
Height: 6'1["].
Club: Simonstown Gaels.
ANOTHER attacking wing back who likes to overlap, but he is not as comfortable when he's defending or being run at. We saw that with Diarmaid Marsden in the semi-final, but he's still an important part of this Meath defence.
8. Nigel Crawford
Age: 20.
Height: 6'4["].
Club: St Peter's, Dunboyne.
A YOUNG midfielder who has learned much during the year and has played a greater part as the championship has progressed. Sometimes allows his opponent to drift into scoring positions like we saw with Ciaran Whelan.
9. John McDermott
Age: 29.
Height: 6'3["].
Club: Skryne.
ONE OF the three of four key men in this Meath team. A big man, both physically and mentally, he has been an outstanding leader on the field throughout the championship. A great ball winner who will have a big role in the final outcome.
10. Nigel Nestor
Age: 25
Height: 6'2["].
Club: Blackhall Gaels.
QUITE LIKELY to play on the other wing and also to drift back towards midfield. Not a spectacular player, but he has an impressive work-rate. Always capable of a score and you can be sure he will weigh in with a couple of points tomorrow.
11. Trevor Giles
Age: 24.
Height: 5'10["].
Club: Skryne.
ANOTHER of the key players in this team. Meath won't win if he plays poorly, but there's not much chance of that. Great vision and an intelligent player with brilliant distribution. Had the pass of the year to Ollie Murphy in Leinster final.
12. Donal Curtis
Age: 26.
Height: 5'11["].
Club: Rathkenny.
FALLS into the unspectacular but high work-rate category that in many ways has ensured Meath's success this summer. More of a defensive wing forward, but came up with a few points against Armagh and filled in very well when Ollie Murphy went off.
13. Evan Kelly
Age: 25.
Height: 5'11["].
Club: Drumree.
HAS BEEN a bit player for a number of years but persevered and has made a big contribution this year. Likely to drift out to the half forward line. Contributed a couple of points against Armagh which were vital in the absence of Tommy Dowd and Murphy.
14. Graham Geraghty (capt)
Age: 26.
Height: 6'0["]
Club: Seneschalstown.
LIKELY to be isolated inside with Murphy. Has all the range of skills and usually makes some telling contributions in games. You always feel there is more potential there and maybe tomorrow is the day he will deliver that full range of talent.
15. Ollie Murphy
Age: 23.
Height: 5'9["].
Club: Carnaross.
HAVING an outstanding season and was unfortunate to pick up an injury early in the semi-final. In the absence of Tommy Dowd, he becomes the biggest scoring threat in this Meath team and it's important for them that he performs tomorrow.
Management Team
MEATH: Manager: Sean Boylan. Selectors: Sean Boylan, Frank Foley, Eamon O'Brien.
CORK: Manager: Larry Tompkins. Selectors: Larry Tompkins, Conor Counihan, Terry O'Neill, Teddy Sheahan.
