1. Connor Gleeson
Age: 29. Club: Dunmore McHales. Debut: 2021 v Roscommon
Recovered well from a shaky display against Armagh but will not be happy with turning his back on the ‘consolation’ Derry goal. Relies on the long kickout but short ones, under certain Kerry pressure, will occupy him on Sunday.
2. Liam Silke
Age: 27. Club: Corofin. Debut: 2015 v New York
Will be used for one of the critical match-ups with Paul Geaney or Paudie Clifford most likely his companion. Experienced defender at this stage, who goes about his work with quiet diligence and will not be rumbled. A particularly good footballer.
3. Seán Kelly
Age: 25. Club: Moycullen. Debut: 2018 v Mayo
Real leader, as seen in turmoil against Armagh. Excellent temperament with middle distance runner’s engine. David Clifford his likely assignment. Manufactured full back who plays side by side or in front, looking for touches on 50-50 ball for the sweeper.
4. Jack Glynn
Age: 21. Club: Claregalway. Debut: 2021 v Mayo
Strong and tenacious, a busy bee corner back. The former U20 All-Ireland winning captain will take up whoever Silke does not. Management have great belief in his defensive capability and fitness levels, which means that he’s never taken off.
5. Dylan McHugh
Age: 25. Club: Corofin. Debut: 2021 v Roscommon
Another from the Corofin wing-back factory. Lots of energy to get up and down but his job here will be filling the foot passing lane on his side of the field and transitioning quickly. Solid footballer, who won’t be fazed.
6. John Daly
Age: 24. Club: Mountbellew-Moylough. Debut: 2019 v London
Improving. Big, strong, and comfortable in possession. Has settled into the position but has two additional assets: an eye for a score and a foot pass. Val, his father, played a remarkably similar role with Moate Hogan Cup winners.
7 Kieran Molloy
Age: 26. Club: Corofin. Debut: 2015
Another galloping Corofin half-back, he too will have primarily defensive duties in the sweeper system. Can exploit turnovers and always keen to drive at opposition. Able to shoot if Kerry back off. Very athletic and stays on his game.
8. Paul Conroy
Age: 33. Club: St James’. Debut: 2008 v Roscommon
Quiet semi-final after a previously rousing championship. As befits a veteran, he discharges duties with minimum of fuss. All Star material, he’s a natural fielder of the ball, carries well and very accurate from distance. Peak performance needed in this.
9. Cillian McDaid
Age: 24. Club: Monivea Abbey. Debut: 2020 v Mayo
Another with All Star quality, the former Carlton AFL player has followed the action, taking care of jobs that needed doing. Suits midfield or half forward, he has an eye for important scores. Last-second equaliser saved the day against Armagh.
10. Patrick Kelly
Age: 22. Club: Mountbellew-Moylough. Debut: 2022 v Mayo
Not as flamboyant as his forward colleagues, he is usually found providing width by hugging the tram line on his side. Was still well able to steal into Roscommon goal area and finish a rebound with a lovely drop-kick.
11. Matthew Tierney
Age: 21. Club: Oughterard. Debut: 2021 v Roscommon
Tall, stylish with terrific skill and a tasty left foot, he’s improving week on week but needs to peak now. Midfield mostly but also half forward, he covers ground but should be scoring more. Converted the decisive penalty against Armagh.
12. Johnny Heaney
Age: 27. Club: Killanin. Debut: 2016 v Mayo
Scores important goals by stealing in on the end of plays. Works away all day for his teammates and is full of running. Regularly back helping defence but Kerry will need to keep a close eye when he wanders forward.
13. Rob Finnerty
Age: 24. Club: Salthill Knocknacarra. Debut: 2019 v London
Tall, elusive with lovely, tight skills and an accurate left peg. Showed plenty of bottle to nail his penalty in the Armagh shootout but Chrissy McKeigue called halt – or pause, Galway will hope – on his prolific championship in the semi-final.
14. Damien Comer
Age: 28. Club: Annaghdown. Debut: 2014 v London
Very few subdue his power and explosiveness. Now producing at the level he always threatened. Strong, powerful and a straight-line runner. Best work at full forward. Goals his currency but also an accurate points scorer. Galway counting on him.
15. Shane Walsh
Age: 29. Club: Kilkerrin-Clonberne. Debut: 2013 v Mayo
Like Comer, vital. Incredible skill set: two-footed free taker from both near and distance. Beautiful carrier of the ball and explosive pace. Kerry will reach into their toolbox – they know if they hammer this hammer the job is half done.
Bench
The strength of your bench is nearly always a decisive aspect of finals. Think back to last year when Cathal McShane and Darragh Canavan turned the tide for Tyrone. In reality, Galway only used one sub, Finnian O’Laoi, in their semi-final win over Derry, as the others came on extremely late in the game to make any real difference and this has been the pattern in all of their matches. It strongly points to a big reliance on their starting 15 and this does not bode well in terms of the fuel injection needed when the tank is running on fumes.
[ Darragh Ó Sé's player-by-player guide to the Kerry teamOpens in new window ]
