Nicky Englishlooks at the Tipperary team
1 Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon)
Age: 35. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st 12lb.
Occupation: Financial planning consultant AIB.
A colossus. We wouldn’t have won in 2001 without his save from Kevin Broderick – has the ability to pull down ball from over the bar. Still prepared to work, as the variety of his semi-final puck-outs showed.
2 Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh)
Age: 25. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 12st 1lb.
Occupation: Student, UL.
Has maintained last year’s good standards. Inclined to foul John Mullane in semi-final, but did as well as anyone marking him. Tidy hurler, but facing a difficult opponent in Fogarty, who he handled well last year.
3 Paul Curran (Mullinahone)
Age: 28. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Primary School teacher.
One of the leaders on the team and gives everything. Sometimes more comfortable laying off ball and not one for booming clearances, but an outstanding man marker. Capable of putting it up to Richie Power.
4 Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields)
Age: 21. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 11st 12lb.
Occupation: Student, UCC.
Highly regarded in UCC for whom he played a key role at midfield in last year’s Fitzgibbon win. Very disciplined and intelligent, he minds the house efficiently, but clearances not always great.
5 Declan Fanning (Killenaule)
Age: 31. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 13st 11lb.
Occupation: Agricultural mechanic.
Form dipped after a bad injury against Wexford. Recovery took a while, but he’s on an upward curve after a dominant semi-final in which his front-foot deliveries equipped John O’Brien to create havoc.
6 Conor O’Mahony (Newport)
Age: 25. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 13st 8lb.
Occupation: Sales representative.
Struggled to reach the pitch of last year’s exceptional All-Ireland form. Taken off against Cork, he improved against Galway, and more again against Waterford. Tipp’s best number six for ages. Vital he plays well.
7 Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
Age: 21. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st 2lb.
Occupation: Apprentice plumber.
I thought he’d be Tipp’s full back for years, but he lasted only minutes on Aisake. Has recovered well at wing back, but I still think he’s a central defender. Great presence but deliveries come off the back foot.
8 Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
Age: 21. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Primary School teacher.
Excellent last season at wing back, but this year at midfield has been Tipp’s outstanding hurler, maintaining his standards even when the team was struggling. Catches vital ball and a superb athlete.
9 Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch)
Age: 25. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 11st 13lb.
Occupation: Primary School teacher.
After disastrous early season, he switched to centre forward. His return to midfield marked the turning point for Tipp. Giant strides, good in the air and an effective distributor, though accuracy could improve.
10 Gearóid Ryan (Templederry)
Age: 22. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 12st 12lb.
Occupation: Apprentice plumber.
Very promising player. Midfield’s his best position, but has been a success on the wing, scoring well until a disappointing semi-final (maybe a reaction to MOTM award against Galway). Super first touch and accurate.
11 Patrick Maher (Lorrha Dorrha)
Age: 20. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 5lb.
Occupation: Leisure centre employee.
Likely to have unenviable task of marking Tommy Walsh. Breaking even would be a result. Imposing and whole-hearted, he’s an effective workhorse. Has greatly strengthened aerial ability in half forwards.
12 John O’Brien (Toomevara)
Age: 28. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 13st 7lb.
Occupation: Sale representative.
Played in the 2001 Munster final, but injury and an accident have prevented him reaching potential on a consistent basis. Excellent against Waterford, which was first time he’s really performed in Croke Park.
13 Noel McGrath (Loughmore)
Age: 19. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st 5lb.
Occupation: Student, LIT.
I assume hell play 11, although he’s not a traditional battering ram centre forward. Can use his awareness and intelligence to try to emulate the Waterford performance. Great distributor and accurate off both sides. Will depend on Cummins’s puck-outs.
14 Eoin Kelly (Captain, Mullinahone)
Age: 28. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 13st 8lb.
Occupation: Bank of Ireland Finance.
Quietly efficient until the Galway match when he got a goal and held the line well. Back injury curtailed his input against Waterford in semi-final, although he got two goals, including a brilliant one. Controlled the attack in last year’s final.
15 Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields)
Age: 29. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: Electrician.
Key attacker since 2001. Very good in the air, has become stronger, but still has unbelievable pace and is now an accomplished finisher. Unpredictable with a high skill level. Tipperary won’t win without him going well. At his best, unmarkable.
Substitutes: Darren Gleeson, P Burke, Jody Brennan, Séamus Callanan, Benny Dunne, Darragh Egan, Paddy Fanning, Timmy Hammersley, Michael Heffernan, Shane Maher, Hugh Maloney, Conor O'Brien, Brian O'Meara, David Young.
