It's not too surprising to see that Kildare have named the same team that started the second half of the Leinster final against Dublin. The management will be very pleased with that formation, particularly in the way they turned the game around with a number of key performances.

Dermot Earley was particularly effective when he switched to midfield. So too was Karl O'Dwyer in the centre of the attack. He may have looked a little rusty but he uses the ball very wisely and economically.

Brian Murphy also proved himself to be a very valuable replacement on the day. He's a strong target man and gives Kildare that extra option in terms of physical presence in front of goals. He can also win a lot of ball and lay it off and he has shown more mobility than other players have shown in that position, which has been a problem area for Kildare to fill up to now.

Then you have Padraig Brennan, who has also became a very useful addition to this team, and has shown excellent form in converting opportunities both from open play and from frees.

Similarly, John O'Mahony has shown confidence in the team that has come through Connacht and you can't really find fault with their performances to date. But there has been a stark contrast in the build-up of both teams for this. Kildare have been stretched in all areas, especially in the last four competitive games, while Galway haven't really been tested at all. That will be a worrying factor for the management.

Having said that, I think they will be pleased with the new players who have come in this year, especially Joe Bergin and Jason Killeen. They now have that combination of youth and experience, but young players who have also shown great confidence for their age.

Of course, a player of the stature of Ja Fallon is a huge absentee. But it was important to strengthen the team in his absence and even though the forward line may be marginally less effective without him, they still look a formidable unit.

There is a huge onus on Michael Donnellan now to play that role of leader in the attack. Two years ago, he had more freedom and possibly more space to make those searing runs on the wing. He won't get that space in the centre, especially with Glen Ryan in front of him and the tactic of the Kildare back line to hunt in packs.

To me, the player who is showing the best form in the Galway attack is Padraig Joyce. He has taken the role of captaincy in his stride. He should have the pace over Ronan Quinn and that is likely to cause all sorts of problems for the Kildare defence.

It's also reassuring for Galway to have Kevin Walsh and John Divilly back on the bench. I felt Walsh was one of their strongest players in 1998 and the way the game is going with 70 minutes of all-action football - and particularly to counteract the non-stop running of the Kildare midfield - it could be a big trump card for Galway to introduce Walsh in the second half.

But for me, these Kildare players just spark of phenomenal fitness, particularly when it comes into the last quarter of the game. They keep the same intensity and the same pace when other teams seem to be wilting, and if the game is anyway tight, I feel Kildare will be favourites to win.

The fact also that their character has been tested has built this strong spirit and never-say-die attitude. The experience they gained from two years ago in not quite pulling it off will also stand to them in terms of maturity.

There may be some questions over their freshness but I think Mick O'Dwyer knows exactly what to do just to keep his players ticking over. They'll have learned from two years ago, and they'll be careful not to have done much since the second Dublin match.

There is no doubt Galway will be coming into this very fresh, but the problem is that you can't simulate the intensity of a championship match in training or in a challenge match. When the heat and pace are turned on tomorrow, the question is how the Galway back line will react. The big play by Kildare is to come through with the extra man, almost attacking with abandon, and if you want to beat them, you have to match them man-for-man in running.

If Kildare can find that free man coming from midfield or half back then it puts tremendous pressure on the six backs who are trying to do their own man marking but are suddenly overrun with the extra man coming through. In that regard, the Galway back line will be looking for support from their outfield players, particularly the half-forward line who will have to track back.

Kildare have got into their game now and they will not give the ball away easily. They are a short-passing team and are very difficult to defend against. There has been a lot of talk about 1998 in the build-up to this but that day I believe Ja Fallon was the main instigator of Galway's fightback. Again he is a huge loss but Galway have known this for months, and have had to plan without him.

Overall though, I feel this Kildare spirit is on an all-time high. They have experienced the whole range of emotions and I can't see them buckling. The hype around Kildare seems to be a little more realistic compared to two years ago but more importantly I think the players have the maturity to make the difference this time out.

In an interview with Ian O'Riordan