Step too far for Limerick

Limerick have surprised everyone this year - shocking Cork, upsetting Waterford's dream, and then crushing Westmeath's hopes of making it two finals in succession. But overcoming Tyrone will probably be one step too far.

Brian Begley epitomises the physical strength of Limerick at full forward, with Jason Stokes and John Galvin equally potent at midfield. Still, there is no disputing the class of the opposition.

Perhaps most significantly, eight of the Tyrone side set to start today also started in the winning All-Ireland minor side of two years back, and many of them were the losing finalists the previous year. Declan McCrossan has returned to form while Cormac McAnallen is an established senior. Other significant contributors to the success in 1998 and the route to this final have been midfielder Kevin Hughes and half forward Stephen O'Neill. And Brian McGuigan was particularly inspiring in the 14-point win over Donegal in the Ulster final.

Still, you have to go back to 1992 to find Tyrone's last appearance at this level - the same year they won their last Ulster title. And in terms of physical strength, the opposition won't come bigger than Limerick. Tyrone held Galway to one point in the second half of the semi-final, but Limerick are unlikely to lie down as easily.