The Limerick team

1 Brian Murray (Patrickswell)

Age: 22. Height: 5ft 8in.

Weight: 12st. Job: Courier.

A smart goalkeeper. Shot-stopping top class and use of ball outstanding. He dictates a lot of what Limerick do out the field. When Waterford turned the screw, he caught great ball. All Star.

Limerick

2 Damien Reale (Hospital-Herbertstown)

Age: 26. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 12st. Job: Health and safety officer.

Experienced, very quick and direct to the ball, he doesn't seem affected by the captaincy. He lost his head, though, in the first Tipperary match, which was irresponsible. Has settled since.

3 Stephen Lucey (Croom)

Age: 27. Height: 6ft 2in.

Weight: 14st 2lb. Job: Medical doctor.

Limerick aren't short of leaders and he is one. Strong physically and in the air, is prone to errors and lives on edge in terms of fouling. A good defender, he bossed Dan Shanahan in semi-final.

4 Séamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher)

Age: 19. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st. Job: Student at University of Limerick.

Impressive in his debut year and outstanding on Tipp's Eoin Kelly. Skilful, quick and able to get the hurley in at the right time. Young Player of the Year and wouldn't be afraid of Kilkenny forwards.

5 Peter Lawlor (Croom).

Age: 25. Height: 6ft 1in.

Weight: 13st 7lb. Job: Electrician.

Brilliant two years ago when Kilkenny used a succession of players, including Tommy Walsh, on him, but has showed only glimpses of that since. Impressive in the third Tipperary match.

6 Brian Geary (Monaleen)

Age: 27 Height: 6ft 3in Weight: 14st 8lb. Job: Sales exec with Moy Isover.

A big physical number six, he holds the centre well. Used to catch ball with the wrong hand, but has addressed that, positioning himself better and his clearances have improved dramatically.

7 Mark Foley (Adare)

Age: 32. Height: 5ft 11in.

Weight: 14st. Job: Publican.

Inspirational 1996 veteran. Used to over-hit, but has been crossing great ball into O'Shaughnessy. Looks tired sometimes, but uses his experience to hang in. Susceptible in the air.

8 Dónal O'Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry)

Age: 26. Height: 6ft. Weight: 12st.

Job: Sales rep with Coca Cola.

Underrated, he covers a lot of ground and is capable of picking off occasional points. Sometimes he overdoes the solo running, but was key to semi-final win. Physically stronger than Cha Fitzpatrick.

9 Mike O'Brien (Glenroe)

Age: 29. Height: 6ft.

Weight: 12st 5lb. Job: Farmer.

An unlikely but completely unselfish hurler. Never shirks it and his block on Tony Browne set up a goal in the semi-final. Combative and aggressive, he's better at ball-winning than scoring.

10 Michael Fitzgerald (Doon)

Age: 20. Height: 5ft 11in.

Weight: 13st. Job: Garda.

Appeared against Tipp as latest in long line of subs, but has moved beyond that. Poor against Waterford when carrying a hamstring injury. Limerick need him to get three or four points.

11 Ollie Moran (Ahane)

Age: 31. Height: 6ft 2in.

Weight: 14st 7lb. Job: Financial adviser

Early Hurler of the Year candidate, but has drifted - though two of his three ties since have been on Ken McGrath. Central to side's rebirth in Tipp matches he's good in the air and off both sides.

12 Seán O'Connor (Ahane)

Age: 26. Height: 6ft 3in.

Weight: 14st. Job: Construction worker.

Hadn't played since May before semi-final and Tony Browne hit a lot of ball, but he should be sharper now. Job on leading Hurler of the Year contender Tommy Walsh will be containment.

13Andrew O'Shaughnessy (Kilmallock) Age: 22 Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 13st 6lb. Job: Defence Forces officer.

Confidence suffered in recent years, but since 65 in Thurles he's improved, especially since coming to Croke Park where he's been getting great ball and is hitting it with more conviction.

14 Brian Begley (Mungret)

Age: 27. Height: 6ft 5in.

Weight: 16st. Job: Garda.

Needs a particular type of ball. If it's long, high and close enough to goal, Noel Hickey is in trouble, but farther out there's less danger. He'll get chances. Question is will Hickey get the hurley in?

15 Donie Ryan (Garryspillane)

Age: 30. Height: 5ft 10in.

Weight: 12st 5lb. Job: Farmer.

Plenty of hurling and bold enough. Great first touch. Probably will play out around the middle, which poses a danger if Michael Kavanagh stays put and bangs balls down the field.