SHC Final Preview/St Vincent's v UCD: UCD are contesting a Dublin hurling final again so the familiar debate about whether they belong in the club championship comes back under the microscope.
The usual drum beats about their legitimacy will sound from certain hurling strongholds in the capital if the multi-county students become Dublin's representatives in the Leinster championship against Meath champions Killyon - 40 hours later at the same venue.
But we're not going to let the issue dilute several fascinating sub plots. For starters, if UCD win they may lose the services of manager Michael "Babs" Keating. On Sunday his second tenure as Tipperary manager begins with a challenge match against Dublin at 1.30pm at O'Toole's redecorated Ayrfield Park. At 2.30pm the Dublin champions play Killyon across town.
An interesting household today is that of the Billings family. Dublin football selector Dave Billings overseas the hugely productive GAA programme on campus but at heart he is a St Vincent's man. As is his son Cathal, who lines out at corner back for the Marino club.
And there's more. Wearing number 24 for UCD will be Wexford dual star Redmond Barry, who returns after suffering a broken jaw during a local club match. If fit, Barry may be used from the start as the Fitzgerald brothers, Diarmaid and Tommy, from Tipperary are doubtful due to a recent family bereavement.
Back to the controversy that follows UCD to Donnycarney tonight: "We'll just put out our best team," says UCD selector Tony Woodcock. "It can be said that UCD raise the standards for other teams in Dublin. I've had managers say to me the incentive to beat UCD always brings out the best in their players. It's always going to be the way that the voices of those giving out will be louder than those who do not have a problem."
The quality sprinkled throughout the St Vincent's line-up - Tomás McGrane, Carl Meehan and Ronan Fallon - allied by this motivation factor, may save Babs a conflict of interest come Sunday.
UCD (probable): B Campion; D Walton, M Fitzgerald, E Campion; B Buckley, B Hogan, D Fitzgerald; B Barry, J O'Connor; P Morrissey, S Lucey, B Phelan; J McCarthy, B Murphy, T Fitzgerald.
ST VINCENT'S (probable): D Feehan; R Traynor, T Russell, C Billings; S O'Neill, R Fallon, C Meehen; R Brennan, C Fallon; AN Other, D Russell, N Bishop; T McGrane, S McHugh, S Loughlin.
Referee: D Donovan.
Parnell Park, 7.30
