1. Garrett Sinnott – Oulart the Ballagh
When Oulart finally ended their long wait for Leinster glory before Christmas, Sinnott was one of the two goalscorers.
Captain of the Wexford senior hurlers in 2013, Sinnott is a combative ballwinner and a key weapon in the Oulart armoury as they look to upset the odds against Na Piarsaigh in Thurles on Saturday.
Sinnott, 28, made his Wexford debut in 2011 and he also raised a green flag during Oulart’s county final victory over St Martin’s last October.
2. Shane Dowling – Na Piarsaigh
Should Oulart present Na Piarsaigh with placed balls within scoring range, expect Shane Dowling to punish them.
Still just 22, Dowling first made his name in the Harty Cup with Ardscoil Rís before emerging as an intercounty forward of real class.
A 2011 Munster U21 medallist with Limerick, Dowling added a senior provincial title in 2013.
3. Neil McManus – Ruairi Og Cushendall
Ruairi Og Cushendall are 11-4 outsiders with the bookies to get one over on Galway champions Sarsfields but with players of the calibre of Neil McManus in their ranks, they cannot be underestimated.
The long-serving Antrim star is excellent on frees and from general play, having emerged from the minor and U21 ranks to become a senior mainstay with the county team.
The Saffrons will have to plan without McManus later in the year, however, as he has confirmed his intentions to travel from the start of May.
4. Joseph Cooney – Sarsfields
The lineage is strong in the Cooney family as Joseph’s father is Joe, renowned as one of the finest forwards in the history of the game, and a two-time All-Ireland SHC medallist.
Joseph, 24, is still aiming to make his mark as a Galway senior, having struggled to nail down a regular starting place in the team since making his debut during the 2012 championship.
Regarded as a hard-working ballwinner in the half-forward line, Cooney is captain of the Sarsfields team aiming to reach a first All-Ireland final since 1998.
5. David Redmond – Oulart the Ballagh
Previously operated in the half-forward line for Oulart-the-Ballagh but versatile David Redmond is now firmly anchored in the club team’s midfield.
Outstanding throughout the Wexford and Leinster club championships last year, Redmond has the ability to hurt Na Piarsaigh with his excellent lines of running and scoring touch.
Brother of Oulart camogie star Stacey, David will turn his attentions to county duty with Wexford when the club campaign comes to an end.
6. Peter Casey – Na Piarsaigh
Casey is regarded as one of the most exciting forward talents to emerge from Limerick in recent times.
He played for both the county’s minor and U21 teams in 2015, coming off the bench in the All-Ireland U21 final against Wexford to score three points in the final 20 minutes.
Casey bagged three points in the county final victory over Patrickswell last year and carried that good form into the Munster club campaign, scoring goals against Sixmilebridge and Thurles Sarsfields, and three points in the final victory over Ballygunner.
7. Shane McNaughton – Ruairi Og Cushendall
A key member of the Ruairi Og Cushendall team that has won the last two county titles, Shane McNaughton has regularly battled with hip problems through the years but continues to be an important player for his club.
His injury concerns may yet see him call time on his intercounty career with Antrim but the son of former Antrim great Terence, better known as Sambo, will soldier on at club level for Cushendall.
A versatile player capable of making an impact at midfield or in the forward division, McNaughton could operate in more than one position against Sarsfields and is another threat to the pre-match favourites.
8. Kevin Hynes – Sarsfields
Hynes enjoyed his most memorable year with Galway in 2012, starring at full-back when the Tribesmen won an historic Leinster senior hurling title before contesting an All-Ireland final, and replay, with Kilkenny.
The former All-Ireland U21 winning captain was handed his Galway senior debut in 2009 and while he became the regular full-back for a spell, Hynes struggled to hold down the position on a long-term basis.
Remains a solid club player for Sarsfields and although named at midfield for the county final and replay against Craughwell last year, Hynes was handed the task of shackling opposition dangerman Niall Healy on both occasions.
