All-Ireland hurling final 2022: Kilkenny player-by-player guide

1. Eoin Murphy

Club: Glenmore. Age: 31. Occupation: Sales director

The best goalkeeper in the game – and has been for most of the past decade. An unbelievable shot-stopper, he was vital in the Leinster final when a Galway goal would have changed things. Confident in everything he does.

2. Mikey Butler

Club: O’Loughlin Gaels. Age: 22. Occupation: Farm manager

Kilkenny’s go-to man-marker now. His performance against Tony Kelly was maybe a little overhyped – not a lot of ball went in their direction during the game. But he did his job very effectively. Tigerish, fast, having a serious debut season.

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3. Huw Lawlor

Club: O’Loughlin Gaels. Age: 26. Occupation: Nutritionist

Possibly a little under-rated outside Kilkenny, I make him one of the best full-backs around. So hard to get away from. Must have jumped eight feet in the air to catch a ball over Peter Duggan the last day. Always gets a hurl or a hand or an elbow in.

4. Tommy Walsh

Club: Tullaroan. Age: 24. Occupation: Procurement

Rock solid defender, always on the shoulder of the man he’s marking. Took a little while to get settled in the Kilkenny defence but a fixture now. Very sticky, never tries anything fancy or over-complicated. Gets the job done.

5. Mikey Carey

Club: Young Irelands. Age: 23. Occupation: Teacher

Solid at wing-back, what you see is what you get. Great engine, fights hard for every ball and is physically very impressive, especially in the air. Different type of player to his dad but a chip off the block in terms of attitude and getting the job done.

6. Richie Reid [captain]

Club: Ballyhale Shamrocks. Age: 29. Occupation: Defence Forces

Sits in the pocket and sweeps up a lot of ball in that centre-back area. Crucial connection between the full-back line and the rest of the team, delivering ball down the field. Has gone from being third-choice goalkeeper to make that position his own.

7. Paddy Deegan

Club: O’Loughlin Gaels. Age: 26. Occupation: Teacher

Very experienced defender, hard as nails, bounces into the tackle and out of it too. In possession, he’s a good striker off his left especially. Sets up a lot of attacks going long and can score the odd long-range point too.

8. Cian Kenny

Club: James Stephens. Age: 21. Occupation: Student

Small, fast and elusive. Gets on a lot of ball coming out around the middle third. Runs with a lot of ball. Not the most physical but connects a lot of play with smart passes through the lines. A good find for Kilkenny this year.

9. Conor Browne

Club: James Stephens. Age: 26. Occupation: Teacher

Fast, physical, can take a score. Kilkenny often detail him to take on the other team’s enforcer so it will be interesting to see does he face off against Will O’Donoghue. If he goes toe-to-toe and tries to bully him, it could be duel of the day.

10. TJ Reid

Club: Ballyhale Shamrocks. Age: 34. Occupation: Gym owner

Best player in the country in the air, always does the right thing with the ball, absolutely consistent from play and placed balls. Limerick don’t usually man-mark so Kilkenny will pick his marker for him. Could they target Mike Casey or Dan Morrissey?

11. Pádraig Walsh

Club: Tullaroan. Age: 30. Occupation: Teacher

Back in as a serious option in the Kilkenny attack after that small bit of an injury made him less effective in the Leinster campaign. Kind of coming in here under the radar, considering the talent he has. Could explode for four or five points.

12. Billy Ryan

Club: Graigue-Ballycallan. Age: 25. Occupation: Student

One of the Kilkenny forwards who finds himself in and out of favour at times. A real Brian Cody type of hurlers – fast, hard-working, not flashy. And yet he’s well capable of scoring 1-2 without anybody making a big deal about it.

13. Adrian Mullen

Club: Ballyhale Shamrocks. Age: 23. Occupation: Student

Top scorer from play and probably in the running for Hurler of the Year. Seems to find space for himself very well, even though everyone knows how dangerous he is. Does that by covering a lot of ground and taking his chances when they come. Vital player for Kilkenny.

14. Martin Keoghan

Club: Tullaroan. Age: 23. Occupation: Teacher

Has turned himself into a goal-machine in this championship. A very direct runner and hard worker. In unbelievable shape – his legs have muscles popping out of them everywhere. Creates a lot of space for others and ruthless in front of goal.

15. Eoin Cody

Club: Ballyhale Shamrocks. Age: 21. Occupation: Student

Has the potential to be one of the great Kilkenny forwards. Deceptively fast, gets away from defenders in the first two or three yards very well. Could end up with 2-2 or five from play. Best position is corner-froward but drifts around picking off points.

Bench

Brian Cody has plenty of cover in attack with the likes of Walter Walsh, John Donnelly and even Richie Hogan if he’s anywhere near to being fit to come in. But they’re not nearly as stacked in defence. Cody wouldn’t want to see an injury to Huw Lawlor or Richie Reid, that’s for sure.

All-Ireland hurling final 2022: Limerick player-by-player guide