Kerry's forward play to carry the day

Waterford have without a shadow of a doubt lost the surprise factor going into tonight's under-21 Munster football final against Kerry at Walsh Park.

When the Kerry footballers reconvened to prepare for this encounter the thought of playing a strong Cork side would have focused their minds despite the senior teams disappointing exit to Tyrone.

But when Waterford turned around a nine-point deficit to dispense of Cork in the semi-final alarm bells would have sounded all over the Kingdom.

A magnificent second-half revival that included a Liam Ó Lionnain goal and some vital strikes from Bill Harty contributed to the win. The victory couldn't be tainted by claims that it was a poor Cork vintage as they won the minor All-Ireland in 2000.

Not even the introduction of hurling stars Setanta Ó hAilpín and John Gardiner could stem the tide. However, Colm Cooper, Declan Quill and Declan O'Sullivan will be a different prospect altogether.

The attacking trio will be desperate to show that the Kerry style is alive and well after the desperate mauling they suffered in the senior All-Ireland semi-final.

The other senior panellist Seamus Scanlon will be expected to dominate the midfield.

For Quill, especially, it is a chance to push his claims for a starting berth on the top table in advance of next season.

Manager Jack O'Connor has also added minor full forward Bryan Sheehan to the starting line-up after they also failed at the All-Ireland semi-final stage when beaten by Laois.

The St Mary's clubman is named in goal, not an unfamiliar position as he has lined out there for the two previous years on the minors.

If the aforementioned forwards, by some freak miracle, do not produce the goods Ross Donovan and captain Michael Collins can also be called upon to deliver the scores.

Waterford have made just one change from the side that beat Cork with Bob Costello, an impressive replacement against Cork, coming in at right-corner forward.

The change means Ó Lionnain moves out to the half-forward line as the unfortunate Tom Power drops to the bench.

Despite showing their pedigree in the last round it is very hard to see a way past this talented Kerry forward line but the blueprints for breaking the code were laid out for all to see at Croke Park on August 24th.

However, it is unlikely that this Waterford outfit have the brawn or athleticism to match a Tyrone-like performance.

WATERFORD: D Hickey, M Crotty, G Hayes, J O'Reilly, N Hennessy, E Rockett, J Hurney, S Dempsey, M Walsh, L O Lionnain, M Power, T Whelan, B Costello, S Walsh, B Harty.

KERRY B Sheehan, N Lynch, E Lawlor, F Griffin, P Sheehan, C O'Connor, E Kavanagh, S Scanlon, P Kelly, R Donovan, D O'Sullivan, M Collins, D Quill, C Cooper, DJ Fleming.