1 JAMES SKEHILL (Cappataggle)
Age: 24 Height: 6ft 5in Weight: 15st 6lbs
Occupation: Civil engineer
Huge physical presence in goal but size means he’s not the most nimble. Started badly against Offaly and didn’t have a whole lot to do in the Leinster final but inclined to rush things against Cork when under no real pressure.
2 DAVID COLLINS (Liam Mellows)
Age: 28 Height: 6ft 1in Weight: 13st 7lbs
Occupation: IT
Early-career promise was disrupted by a bad injury but restored to his best position at wing back he’s been powerful. A strong hurler, he attacks the ball and hit an outstanding point against Kilkenny in July.
3 KEVIN HYNES (Sarsfields)
Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 12st 8lbs
Occupation: Sales manager
I differ slightly from the consensus view in that I don’t see him as vulnerable. He is unorthodox but he was on top against Cork apart from the late difficulty in the air, which Pa Cronin still didn’t exploit.
4 FERGAL MOORE (Turloughmore – captain)
Age: 30 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 13st 5lbs
Occupation: Physiotherapist
An experienced corner back, his determination and leadership have been outstanding this year. It won’t matter to him who he’s marking, ferociously competitive and has been calm and business-like this season.
5 NIALL DONOHUE (Kilbeacanty)
Age: 21 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st 7lbs
Occupation: Student
A real tearaway, he was brilliant against Cork when the questions were asked and really up for it. There’s a bit of devil about him. Clearances aren’t his strong point but he’s on the way up.
6 TONY ÓG REGAN (Rahoon-Newcastle)
Age: 28 Height: 6ft 3in Weight: 14st 11lbs
Occupation: Accountant
Having one of his best years. More physical now, holds the centre well but is less comfortable asked to operate in wider role. Sometimes has difficulty in getting the ball away but a formidable presence.
7 JOHNNY COEN (Loughrea)
Age: 21 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 9st
Occupation: Teacher
One of the players of the championship, doing his best hurling in the corner. Classy, small-guy defender in Tom Cashman mould – great touch and excellent striker. Speciality has been getting distance in clearances.
8 ANDY SMITH (Portumna)
Age: 29 Height: 5ft 9in Weight: 12st 6lbs
Occupation: Employee Teagasc
A serious physical specimen; he may look small but most of the time he challenges for ball he wins – and it hurts. He was too confined at wing forward and has been enjoying a new lease of life at midfield.
9 IARLA TANNIAN (Ardrahan)
Age: 28 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14st 10st
Occupation:Employee Medtronic
Embodiment of the transformation in the team in what’s asked of him and what he delivers. I’ve never seen him in as good shape. Always a capable if peripheral player in attack but now thriving in a dynamic midfield.
10 DAVID BURKE (St Thomas )
Age: 22 Height: 6ft Weight: 12st 6lbs
Occupation: Teacher
A classy hurler with magic touches in the Leinster final: taking a goal on the run and that point, unbelievable first touch while falling, off the hurley and over the bar. Travels a lot and capable of turning it on.
11 NIALL BURKE (Oranmore Marree)
Age: 21 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14st 7lbs
Occupation: Student
Scored a lot in the league and was unerring in the championship until the last day when he also looked caught for pace or tired. Will need to pick it up if Galway are to create the necessary tempo.
12 CYRIL DONNELLAN (Pádraig Pearses)
Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st 9lbs
Occupation: Post-graduate student
Man of the match in the Leinster final, he has improved out of all recognition. I couldn’t have seen him scoring five from play in the past when he was a good ball winner but not a scorer.
13 DAMIEN HAYES (Portumna)
Age: 30 Height: 5ft 7in Weight: 12st 6lbs
Occupation: Motor sales
After a couple of quiet years he has really returned to form and the licence to roam has made him particularly effective. A reliable scorer again, yet Galway should avoid reviving the old over-reliance on him.
14 JOE CANNING (Portumna)
Age: 23 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 12st 12lbs
Occupation: Hurley maker
Another in the best physical shape of his life. Very young to be forced to carry the team in recent years, he admitted he wasn’t enjoying it. On fire this season, his fire-power and strength are vital to Galway’s chances.
15 JAMES REGAN (St Thomas)
Age: 21 Height: 6 ft Weight: 9st
Occupation: Student
A very promising and skilful player, he made a contribution against Cork but was also under pressure and, at times, a little anonymous. He was probably the best of the under-21 forwards but this is a huge step up.
