On Canice Brennan. . . "He might not be especially big but he certainly is very strong. I do wonder whether he is completely satisfied with the move from centre back to full back, but you have to be happy with any position on this Kilkenny team. Still, he has adapted very quickly in a position which can usually take quite a while. He is the last line of defence, where you need to be fast, well able to hurl and show great intelligence - all of which he has no problem with. But he will have his hands full with Joe Deane and must be as fast as every breaking ball that comes towards him. He can't afford a single mistake or else Kilkenny will be severely punished."

On Joe Deane. . . "A small but very skillful player who can read the game tremendously well. His first touch is invariably excellent but so much of his role will depend on what goes on outfield and how well the ball is fed into him. Cork will again be looking to keep the ball coming in low, because that is where Deane is especially dangerous. The high ball may not be to his liking but his lack of height won't matter all that much. He is deadly with the free-taking as well and if the gets the kind of ball he likes on Sunday then he might just have the edge in this encounter."