Seanie McGrath
What were your expectations for this year's championship?
"I don't think any team can put their expectations too high but we said a gradual step in our curve would be: win a National League in '98, a Munster title in '99 and maybe an All-Ireland in 2000. Now we're in an All-Ireland final and I don't think any team in that position looks at next year."
What was your earliest hurling memory?
"Going up to the All-Ireland final in 1983 with my dad. I remember shouting for Galway simply because their colours were similar to Cork's - it just shows you how innocent a fella can be. Jimmy Barry was playing and I think it was Tomas Mulcahy's debut year for Cork. I was eight at the time."
What was your most memorable game?
"I'd have to say my first game against Clare in 1997 because it was my debut and the most memorable point was getting my first score. Going into that game I would have settled for a point or two, but I scored quite early and I was delighted."
Who was your most difficult opponent?
"The first game against Waterford didn't go very well for me and I was taken off and it was very, very disappointing. When you have a bad day, you just want to forget about it. It just hadn't happened for me on the day so I didn't change anything, just trained harder."
Do you believe inter-county players should be rewarded?
"I suppose there's a debate over pay-for-play at the moment. Definitely the commitment is very, very hard. You can't plan holidays, if you're going out with a girl - all these things suffer. At the end of the day you wouldn't change it for anything."
Willie O'Connor
What were your expectations for this year's championship?
"Ah, sure we were only one step away from the All-Ireland last year so we hoped with a bit of luck that we might make the final stride this time. We'll have to wait and see now."
What was your earliest hurling memory?
"Probably going back to underage level and I'd be playing one corner and the brother would be in the other. It's been that way as long as I can remember and that would stick in your mind."
What was your most memorable game?
"No one match stands out really. Every game is nice when you win it, and if you get destroyed you just want to forget it."
Who was your most difficult opponent?
"You've enough to do worrying about your own game besides thinking about opponents. They are all tricky in their own way but the thing to do is make sure you look after yourself and try and get out to the ball first."
Do you believe inter-county players should be rewarded?
"The way it's going, I think it'll probably happen. Players put in a huge effort nowadays and there should be something given, maybe not money but some sort of gesture. Players should be rewarded a bit better."
