Whenever you put Offaly and Kilkenny together you have all the makings of a great game. We have two of the biggest rivals in Leinster and with these sides very finely balanced in their line-up then I think we'll see a tremendously skilful game.

Kilkenny will feel that they are a better team than last year and they certainly seem to be more focused about their championship ambitions. As All-Ireland champions, Offaly will feel that they are the best team in the country. Both sides respect each other and they both have something to prove and that will make sure this is a close contest.

Offaly have a tremendous record in the Leinster final in recent years and if they have the hunger tomorrow then I expect them to win again. They've more or less been together as a panel now since 1993 and that's a long time. John Ryan, Stephen Byrne and Simon Whelahan are the main exceptions there. Still, it looks a very settled side and one that has proved itself again and again.

In the Kilkenny side you see new players in all areas from goalkeeper to the full forward. They've had almost a complete change of personnel since the start of the decade. It's important as well that both sides play a slightly different style of game. Kilkenny use a lot more stick work and move the ball slightly better while Offaly are more able to counteract and play a little more ground hurling. That will make it very interesting.

Some people say that Offaly haven't got all the recognition for their efforts in winning All-Irelands and Leinster titles in recent years and that will motivate them as well. I know Offaly love playing Kilkenny and I know they love to win and that will always be an extra incentive. There is a strong possibility that the All-Ireland champions will come out of Leinster again. I think the teams in Munster have punched each other to death really with so many hard games. Anyway, it will be interesting to see the draws tomorrow night.

Looking back at Kilkenny's performance against Laois, you have to say they were superb - especially in the first 20 minutes. I'm sure Brian Cody would admit that on previous occasions Laois had run them very close but there were no such problems last time out. They wanted to show that they won't be giving anything away this year. They were on fire and all their forwards performed extremely well.

Still, I'd be a little bit worried about the youth of the Kilkenny backs. They have an unfamiliar half back line in Michael Kavanagh, Eamon Kennedy and newcomer Paddy Mullally, and even with the experience of under-21 or whatever, this is a different ball game. Canice Brennan is fitting in very well at full back and beside him you have that veteran performer Willie O'Connor so that looks a little more stable. They've a new goalkeeper as well in James McGarry which can always be a problem but against that, there's no doubt they are all skilful players.

Then you have forwards like DJ Carey, Henry Shefflin and Ken O'Shea who are all extremely dangerous and it's going to be a big challenge for the Offaly backs.

For example, Hubert Rigney and John Power stands out as one of the key duels, as does Kevin Martin and DJ Carey. Carey has a phenomenal burst of speed and it's a possibility that Brian Whelahan will come across although I can't see Offaly making too many switches just to suit Kilkenny.

Then you have Canice Brennan and John Troy which should be another great clash. I can also see Henry Shefflin trying to take Kevin Kinahan out and trying to twist and turn him. Other people have tried that and failed but a lot of people are saying that Shefflin is a player for the future - we'll have to wait and see. Finally, you have to look at Martin Hanamy on Ken O'Shea and wonder. If O'Shea manages to get a lot of scores then you'll be sure he will have deserved them.

It's hard to see a major weakness in the Offaly side. I thought Stephen Byrne was a little suspect the last day against Wexford and he certainly can't afford to do that against Kilkenny. All in all I would go for Offaly in that I think the players will just about out-perform Kilkenny in the key areas and that will be the only main difference.

Elsewhere, it's interesting to see that Galway have brought back Joe Cooney and Joe Rabbitte because I do believe that they need something different this year - something both these players can do. I don't know how much a role they will play in the game but to be honest I don't see Galway having any trouble with Roscommon. I think Roscommon can perform for maybe 40 minutes but then they seem to fade out of the game.

In Ulster, you have to go for Antrim again because they have been very focused and this side has plenty of ability. It would be too much of an upset to imagine how Derry could win.

In an interview with Ian O'Riordan