The word from UCD is that they quite fancy themselves if they can get over this barrier. For a team with deft touch and consistent technique, as well as a fair injection of pace, hurling matches at this time of the year are a bit of a slog.

Four years ago, the Dublin club went down to James Stephens' predecessors Graigue-Ballycallan and felt that their slighter players had found the going a bit soft. Any suggestion that O'Moore Park's tight confines might disadvantage the Dublin champions has to be set against the fact they've already played twice there this year and won comfortably against Portlaoise and Coolderry.

Not as decorated with galacticos as some university teams, UCD nonetheless have a strength in depth that will serve them well in a championship which has traditionally favoured the elimination of weakness rather than sprinklings of greatness.

On the basis of the first-half display against Oulart in the semi-final, James Stephens will almost certainly lose. But, to be fair, the Kilkenny team had to recover from the loss of Jackie Tyrrell after only five minutes of their semi-final, so that might in part explain their subdued opening.

They were blessed to be on level terms at the break, but capitalised on their fortune to finish the match clinically.

UCD have a sound defence, which will be hard to break down. There was also a little concern that their half-forwards had taken too much out of the ball and prevented the quick service that would maximise the threat of the full forwards, and Brendan Murphy in particular.

Given the presence of Philip Larkin and Peter Barry in the Kilkenny side's half-back line, moving the ball will be a priority.

Despite the criticisms, UCD are a tight-knit club outfit whose support play has impressed.

They have the edge.