Richie Hogan
Man-of-the-match in the All-Ireland SHC and the leading contender for Hurler of the Year, Richie Hogan is on top of his game at present and looking near unstoppable. His switch to centre-forward in the second half of the drawn game proved an inspired one by Cody. Hogan is the smallest man on the Kilkenny team, but won five puck outs an scored 0-6 from play that day.
Tipp would have been delighted at how they kept him relatively under wraps during the opening half and perhaps Eamon O’Shea may be tempted into deploy a direct man-marker on Hogan. Whatever happens, Tipp’s biggest concern will be putting the shackles on Hogan. A massive ask.
Paul Murphy
Murphy’s battle with Bonner Maher was one the highlights of the drawn final. The 25-ear-old was deployed to follow Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher that day and while the forward scored Tipp’s only goal, Murphy acquitted himself very well.
Murphy will find himself under a huge amount of pressure once again this evening, given the amount of space Tipp like to generate in their full-forward line. A similarly effective display by Murphy will be critical to Kilkenny’s chances of delivering a 35th title.
TJ Reid
Reid has been one of Kilkenny’s leading lights this season, becoming the go-to man in the Kilkenny attack following the phasing out of Henry Shefflin from the starting fifteen. Reid was excellent three weeks ago and will probably spend most of his time on Kilkenny’s inside forward line once again.
Reid’s scored a magnificent goal early in the second half after sending in Richie Power for a first half goal, while he was typically accurate from the placed ball. His physicality is often something which is overlooked and alongside Richie Hogan, he is the main Tipperary will be looking to shut down.
