In many ways this afternoon's hurling final is exactly as the champions would wish it. St Joseph's Doora-Barefield are back in the final but, unlike their football counterparts Crossmaglen, they are underdogs in the public consciousness as they take on Galway's Athenry, All-Ireland winners three years ago.

As Athenry were showing most impressively in the defeat of Birr, St Joseph's were taking their time to put away Antrim champions Cushendall and needed a replay to do so. That disparity and the obsessive focus of the Galway team on last year's controversial defeat by St Joseph's has had the effect of copper-fastening Athenry's claims.

Essentially it is believed that Athenry have improved and that St Joseph's have fallen back. No one associated with the champions would dispute that they haven't been as lively this year but the dynamics of managing the defence of an All-Ireland is never as straight-forward as driving a team to its first win.

Whereas the Clare championship isn't any more competitive than Galway's, the Munster campaign is certainly more demanding than the Connacht equivalent and it was at the provincial stage that St Joseph's did some of their best hurling, defeating Toomevara (Tipperary) and Ballygunner (Waterford).

An extended Christmas break left them vulnerable going in against Cushendall and they nearly paid the price. The question for the champions is to what extent they have recovered the form of November over the last three weeks. Training will have tuned them more finely but can James O'Connor and Ollie Baker re-establish themselves as crucial influences on the team?

Athenry are altogether more bullish. They weren't widely fancied against Birr but put in a solid performance. Their half backs were dominant, captain Joe Rabbitte caught a rake of ball on the wing and inside Eugene Cloonan had a great day, snapping up 2-3.

St Joseph's have the potential to be a thornier prospect. For a start, although Brian Whelahan hurled with his usual command, Birr were untypically hesitant at the back, giving away the first goal because of a mistake. St Joseph's have their own totemic centre back, Sean McMahon, but in David and Ger Hoey, two lower-profile but very dependable defenders, they have backup and Athenry may find racing into an early lead more difficult.

If Birr's defence steadied, its attack remained fitful throughout the second half and it was left to Whelahan to lead the charge for scores with long-range frees as well as a great point from play. Yet despite their difficulties, the Offaly champions might have won but for the injury to Whelahan in the closing minutes which seemed to kill their momentum.

To be fair to Athenry, they seized their chance and took two fine points to win, but it was a closer-run thing than perhaps it should have been.

St Joseph's have a proven attack. Although James O'Connor's form hasn't been great, he has had many more good days than bad ones. He is well supported and assuming the injury concerns surrounding Andrew Whelan in particular clear up, St Joseph's will offer a more complete challenge in this sector than Athenry have faced before.

There is the influence of last year's semi-final to consider. Athenry have been wisely rowing back from the more bullish statements about last year's defeat by St Joseph's but to an extent the damage is done in that the champions have reason to feel their achievement being belittled even if the Galwaymen have been scrupulous about denying that implication.

There is such pride and self-belief in Clare hurling nowadays that it's impossible to think of them going into a final with their title up for grabs and not responding. That represents a clear and ominous warning for Athenry's otherwise impeccable credentials.