Kenneth Mortimer Corner back Age: 23. Height: 5' 9["]. Weight: 11st 10ozs. Club: Shrule/Glencorrib.
Honours: Connacht SFC 1996, '97; U21 '95, 96; MFC '91. Championship debut: 1993 v Roscommon. Appearances 1997: Four. Substituted 1997: Not to date. Conceded 1997: 0-1 (v Leitrim), 0-1 (v Offaly).
Reaction to the season? "We've tended more to focus in on the other team and look at what weaknesses they have and maybe channel our strengths towards their weaknesses. The notion that a team can win an All-Ireland in any given summer doesn't apply anymore. It's taken us 24 months to get to this stage."
Most memorable match this season? "Obviously we knew we had to peak to beat Galway and fortunately for us, things did go right that day. If we don't play as well in the All-Ireland as we have already done, then you can say we peaked against Galway. It's difficult to compare games because each is a separate set of circumstances."
Most difficult? "There's been talk that Mayo were complacennt against Sligo and patchy against Leitrim but it's an injustice to both teams to say that we were complacent in any way. We're in an All-Ireland final and there's no point looking at the past." Best of the rest? "Offaly's performance in the Leinster final has obviously been the best team performance and everybody strives to give that type of display on any given day." Is the standard of football improving? "I think there has been a general evening off of teams. In amateur sport, I suppose there's only a certain level of fitness you can reach and teams are fast approaching in any county doing the work required. The standards have risen slightly. I think there's been some considerably good games." How intense is the media pressure? "I generally don't have a problem talking to the media. It's part of the territory. But players don't like being constantly phoned, particularly at work." Inside view: John Maughan (Mayo manager): "He's a terrific player, a footballing corner back. One thing we've noticed about him recently is the instensity of his training. Some guys, you might get 50 per cent out of them one night, 75 per cent the other and 100 per cent maybe once in five. Ken Mortimer trains like he plays - he doesn't like to be beaten. He's a very confident player and wouldn't have carried any baggage from last year." Outside view: Tommy Joe Gilmore (Galway selector): "I would assess him very highly. Defensively, he does what a back does, gets tight on his man, reads the game well and covers for other players very well. This year he's cleaned up a lot of ball."
William Kirby Centrefield
Age: 22. Height: 6'. Weight: 13st. Club: Austin Stacks.
Honours: All-Ireland U21 1995, '96, Munster SFC 1997, NFL 1997, Sigerson Cup 1997 (Tralee RTC). Championship debut: 1997 v Tipperary. Appearances 1997: Three. Substituted 1997: Once (v Tipperary, 65 mins). Scored 1997: Nil. Conceded 1997: Nil. Reaction to the season? "It's been a long year, starting nearly 12 months ago training for the National League. At the end of the day, we've improved a lot and winning the League was a big bonus. It's been a very good year so far."
Most memorable match this season? "The National League final was a big occasion playing our local rivals Cork. As well as that there was the Munster final, so the whole thing stands out as a year."
Most difficult? "The National League game against Meath was a lowpoint.["] Best of the rest? "I thought Cavan were particularly good. We played them in under-21 last year and that was the backbone of their team this year. I think they're a team for the future." Is the standard of football improving? "Fitness levels these days are very high. Teams are physically and mentally wellprepared and it makes for a high standard of football." How intense is the media pressure? "We're just told to try and co-operate with the press. If you're not happy talking to someone, just say that. There's been no problem so far but it affects some players differently. Some just aren't comfortable talking to the press." Inside view: Seamus MacGearailt (Kerry coach) "I trained William Kirby at na Gaeil in Tralee a couple of years ago. I saw that he had potential and he came through the under-21s, proving himself a good centrefielder. He's a very good athlete, very committed." Outside view: Paddy Morrissey (outgoing Tipperary manager): "Kerry played well against us at midfield and although Dara O Se was more prominent, I noticed the way he and Kirby back each other up and even take balls in each other's square. Kirby fields the ball and gives. He did very well against Cavan but the I feel the jury's still out as regards an All-Ireland final."
