1. Joey Holden (Kilkenny) v Joe Canning (Galway)
Canning may have scored a Leinster final wonder goal against Kilkenny but Holden did well on the Galway hitman.
In boxing parlance, Holden can claim to have won that particular battle on points and it may have given Galway boss Anthony Cunningham food for thought ahead of Sunday.
Does Cunningham pitch Canning on the edge of the square in the hope that he can wreak more havoc or release him to the half-forward line, where more space may be available?
Expect to see Canning operating between the opposition square and the forty in an effort to exert a more consistent influence on this game.
But Holden is made of stern stuff and will be ready for whatever opponent comes his way.
2. Iarla Tannian (Galway) v Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
2014 Hurler of the Year Hogan has been in a rich vein of form again this summer.
The Danesfort dynamo has picked off 1-14 in three championship outings but created so much more for teammates.
Despite his diminutive stature, Hogan is a brilliant ballwinner but he’s at his most effective operating in pockets of space that he loves to ghost into.
The conundrum for Cunningham is whether Tannian goes man to man with Hogan, or holds his position.
If Hogan drifts, he’ll cause all sorts of problems but if Tannian is dragged out of his centre back position, Kilkenny can expose gaps in behind with a regular supply of ball to TJ Reid.
3. John Hanbury (Galway) v TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
Who will mark TJ Reid is another of Cunningham’s big selection posers.
Pádraig Mannion had been enjoying a super season until the All-Ireland semi-final, when Tipp’s Seamus Callanan scorched him for a hat-trick of goals.
John Hanbury was eventually switched onto Callanan but he couldn’t cope with the aerial threat either, and hauled down the full-forward to concede a penalty.
Reid is majestic under dropping ball and Galway may opt for a ‘swarm’ strategy, ensuring that the Kilkenny star is met with a posse of bodies when he collects possession.
Leaving Reid isolated with one particular opponent is asking for trouble but out of Galway’s full-back line, Hanbury does appear best equipped in the physical stakes to pit his wits against the Ballyhale man.
4. Kieran Joyce (Kilkenny) v Cyril Donnellan (Galway)
In nominal positions at least, it appears that Kieran Joyce, the Kilkenny centre back, will be deployed on Galway’s Cyril Donnellan.
Joyce was man of the match in last year’s All-Ireland final replay and has settled well into the pivotal position for the Cats.
He’s a good reader of the game and can drop back that extra few yards to provide extra protection to the Kilkenny full-back line if Galway are enjoying a good spell.
Donnellan will feel that he has unfinished business in an All-Ireland final against Kilkenny, after he was sent off in the replay three years ago.
He’s enjoyed a solid summer to date and is one of the Tribesmen’s best ball winners.
5. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny) v Jason Flynn (Galway)
Murphy is Mister Consistency at the back for Kilkenny, a player who rarely has a bad game.
Manager Brian Cody will have given his match-ups plenty of thought but with Galway expected to operate a rotational system in attack, Murphy could come up against a number of opponents.
Flynn will be one of them and the rangy Galway attacker is a man on a personal mission.
He’s tall, skilful, pacey and well able to take a score but Galway are also blessed with the attacking power of Canning, Cathal Mannion and young Conor Whelan.
If Flynn plays up to scratch, and two or three others can do likewise, Galway have a big chance but Murphy won’t be fazed and has the big game experience to cope.
