By Nicky English
1 Clinton Hennessy (Ardmore)
Age: 31. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 13st 7lb.
Occupation: Painter and decorator.
Has been very consistent since he came on the scene and brought stability to a problem position for Waterford. Good shot-stopper and has a good brain, using the ball well from puck-outs.
2 Eoin Murphy (Shamrocks)
Age: 29. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Medical representative
The team's full-back line vulnerability is surprising, as they have very good corners. Murphy did well on Tipp's Eoin Kelly and he's quick and good at picking up breaks and clearing the ball.
3 Declan Prendergast (Ardmore)
Age: 27. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Agricultural contractor
After a good league final last year he looked increasingly vulnerable and eventually was destroyed by Brian Begley. Competent against Tipp, but this is a much stiffer test.
4 Aidan Kearney (Tallow)
Age: 24. Height: 6ft. Weight: 11st 7lb.
Occupation: Salesman Avondhu Motor Factors
It was a big call to bring him straight back for the Tipperary match after missing so much of the championship, but he did well on Lar Corbett. Neat, quick and a good hurler but lacks experience.
5 Tony Browne (Mount Sion)
Age: 35. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 4lb.
Occupation: Sales rep Munster Timber Structures.
An outstanding player. Super in the air and great delivery. Best performance this year was against Tipp. He'll need another marking Larkin. If they get close in final 10 minutes he'll be a driving force.
6 Ken McGrath (Mount Sion)
Age: 30. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Sports shop proprietor.
My favourite all-round player. Can play everywhere. Sometimes indiscipline would drive you mad, like hitting Hail Mary shots, but some of the best things I've seen on a field came from him.
7 Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
Age: 21. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 13st 10lb.
Occupation: Student WIT.
Around for a while before getting his place and has best match in the semi-final. He's athletic but lacks neatness and needs space. Has heart and commitment and competes hard for the high ball.
8 Michael Walsh (Stradbally, captain)
Age: 26. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: AIB representative.
Last year's outstanding midfielder. Greatest attributes are dynamism and energy levels, which enables him carry ball at defences. Has looked below-par physically. Needs to keep tabs on Lyng.
9 Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan)
Age: 21. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Post-graduate student UCC.
Did as well as anyone this season on Shane McGrath and got an important score. Up against one of the best players in the game so isn't under great pressure - often a good way to go into a final.
10 Dan Shanahan (Lismore)
Age: 31. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 15st.
Occupation: Oil delivery driver.
Under pressure from the start this year and a lot of All-Ireland expectations fell on him. Way off 2007 Hurler of the Year form. Needs to put head down and win ball to limit supply from Kilkenny backs.
11 Séamus Prendergast (Ardmore)
Age: 28. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 15st.
Occupation: Sales representative.
In same boat as Shanahan. Great scores last year, but, struggling with a shoulder injury, hasn't been a force this season. Ball has to get through Hogan, so Waterford need Prendergast to find form.
12 Stephen Molumphy (Ballyduff U)
Age: 24. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: Army officer.
Finding a bit of form and closer to the dynamism of 2007. Just as well as on Tommy Walsh he'll have to really compete on puck-outs and breaks. Half forwards are a key line of defence for Waterford.
13 Eoin McGrath (Mount Sion)
Age: 28. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 11st 10lb.
Occupation: Sales department, DPL.
Has always been very talented, but can be frustrating. Last year he didn't get enough game time, but he's been buzzing this season now that he's a starter. Fast, good skill and caught an inordinate amount of ball against Tipp.
14 Eoin Kelly (Passage)
Age: 25. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: Salesman.
He has been fitter, more sustained and focused and it's great to see him playing so well. Has curbed tendency to waste ball and his free-taking is more reliable. Hickey will be his greatest test but he'll be Hickey's.
15 John Mullane (De La Salle)
Age: 27. Height: 6ft. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Service technician
Outstanding since the drop of the flag in a team that was being annihilated by Clare. He's also been working consistently hard. Sometimes in big games anxiety has forced a second touch and frustration. If he gets it in one, he's gone.
