The Kilkenny team

1 PJ Ryan (Fenians)

Age: 30. Height: 5ft 9in.

Weight: 12st 7lb. Job: Bricklayer

Sub goalie is a terrible position and he's been six or seven years in James McGarry's slipstream. Three weeks is a short recovery time for a fracture. Little bit indecisive, but puck-outs are fine.

Kilkenny

2 Michael Kavanagh (St Lachtain's)

Age: 28. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 12st 5lb. Job: Bank of Ireland employee.

Put Joe Deane in his pocket last year, but hasn't been under pressure this summer so it's hard to know his form. Clears great ball and it's hard to see Donie Ryan taking him for two goals.

3 Noel Hickey (Dunamaggin)

Age: 26. Height: 5ft 11in.

Weight: 13st 7lb. Job: Farmer.

From my experience of pulling a hamstring, Hickey has to be a doubt. Fit, he's mobile, competitive and will hurl Begley. Bombing the square is the question, but he has great recovery.

4 Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens)

Age: 25. Height: 6ft 2in.

Weight: 14st. Job: Limerick IT student

Has been in better shape this year and was combative and dominant against Galway. Vulnerable, though, if he doesn't step up on semi-final when he was sluggish and under pressure.

5 Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan)

Age: 24. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 12st 11lb. Job: Investment manager.

Hurling has been outstanding apart from a dip in the Leinster final. Made amazing catches in the All-Ireland semi-final. The pulse of the team. Good final game and he's Hurler of the Year.

6 Brian Hogan (O'Loughlin Gaels)

Age: 26. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 13st 10lb. Job: Grünenthal Pharma rep.

Has held on to his place since the league when he played three and six. Best period the last day was at full back. Better hurler than John Tennyson but doesn't have same physical aggression.

7 JJ Delaney (Fenians)

Age: 25. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 7lb. Job: Employee Tegral.

Back in his natural position, he should be reaching his prime, but I feel last year's injury has taken it out of him. Chased against Galway, but was never quite at the pitch of the ball.

8 Derek Lyng (Emeralds)

Age: 29. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st 7lb. Job: GlaxoSmithKline representative

Outstanding athlete, like a box-to-box soccer player. Erratic shooting, but a superb forager and carrier. Struggled early in the season, but played really well when brought back against Galway.

9 James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick (Ballyhale)

Age: 22. Height: 5ft 10in.

Weight: 11st. Job: Student.

Has picked it up again with a couple of great points against Wexford as well as clever stuff - a quick one-two lineball with Shefflin for a score. Slight question over energy levels after the club run.

10 Eddie Brennan (Graigue-Ballycallan)

Age: 28. Height: 5ft 11in.

Weight: 13st. Job: Garda.

His reinvention as a ball winner has continued, but performances haven't been quite as good. Popped up with typical Fast Eddie goals against Galway, but is now also one of the team leaders.

11 Henry Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

Age: 28. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 13st 10lb Job: Bank of Ireland employee

Hurler of the Year, Sports Personality of the Year and best hurler there is, he's facing a test of hunger as much as anything else and the robustness of the Limerick defence will set that test.

12 Eoin Larkin (James Stephens)

Age: 23. Height: 6ft.

Weight: 13st. Job: Soldier.

More comfortable with his position on the team and having his best year. He looks fitter, isn't tiring as much as he used to, is winning hard ball and is scoring freely. Has a big game in him.

13 Willie O'Dwyer (Mullinavat)

Age: 23. Height: 5ft 10in.

Weight: 13st 7lb. Job: Electrician.

Very much a Brian Cody forward. Works hard and pops up with a few scores. Pressures backs and is Kilkenny's first line of defence. He'll struggle to get away from his marker.

14 Martin Comerford (O'Loughlin Gaels)

Age: 28. Height: 6ft 4in.

Weight: 14st. Job: Employee Gypsum.

Has grown into a leadership role. Shooting isn't the most reliable, but wins hard ball and hard frees. Won't be put off by Lucey's physicality. Big responsibility if Shefflin proves vulnerable.

15 A idan Fogarty (Emeralds)

Age: 25. Height: 6ft.

Weight: 12st. Job: Electronics engineer.

Man of the Match in last year's final, he's a really dangerous type of player. Very quick, brave and unorthodox with the hurl, he has suffered this year from injury as much as expectation.