1. Tony Kelly (Clare)
Now thankfully restored to full fitness after missing the vast majority of the Allianz Hurling League campaign, Kelly provides Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald with a badly-needed option for Sunday’s final against Waterford.
John Conlon is ruled out injured and Kelly, the 2013 Hurler and Young Hurler of the Year, appears to be a tailor-made replacement.
Kelly came off the bench to score two superb points in the semi-final victory over the Kilkenny, the first of those with his very first touch.
In a game that promises to be tight and tactical, Kelly’s running power and ability to find pockets of space will prove crucial to the Clare gameplan.
2. Austin Gleeson (Waterford)
This is a player who has the potential to be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
Gleeson is a remarkable young talent who lit up the 2013 All-Ireland minor hurling championship as Waterford swept to glory.
He marked his senior championship debut against Cork in 2014 with a stunning solo goal but, like his revered clubmate Ken McGrath, has now made the switch from attack to defence.
The return to fitness of Pauric Mahony and the emergence of young stars Patrick Curran and Shane Bennett has provided manager Derek McGrath with more attacking options this year.
And that’s allowed Gleeson to sit in a deeper role and dictate matters from the middle third of the pitch. Watch out for his trademark sideline cuts on Sunday too.
3. Cian Dillon (Clare)
Dillon is a survivor from one of Clare’s darkest days in recent years – the 2011 qualifier whipping they suffered against Galway at Pearse Stadium in Salthill.
A 2009 All-Ireland U21 medallist, Dillon won county SHC medals with Crusheen in 2010 and 2011 and has developed into one of the most complete defenders in the game.
Dillon operated in the full-back line when Clare won All-Ireland senior honours in 2013 but he’s often been touted as a long-term centre back.
For now, he’s fulfilling the sweeper role with aplomb, a position that injured Patrick Donnellan occupied in that All-Ireland success three years ago.
Dillon is a no-nonsense type of defender but in the spare man role at the back, he’s also shown that he can play a bit too.
4. Patrick Curran (Waterford)
We profiled Patrick Curran and Shane Bennett before Waterford beat Limerick in the Allianz Hurling League semi-final and the pair certainly lived up to the hype, hitting 2-13 between them in the comfortable victory over the Shannonsiders.
Curran blotted his copybook late on against Limerick by collecting a second yellow card, and subsequent red, but he’d collected 1-10 before receiving his marching orders.
Curran’s individual haul took his League tally to date to 1-33 and if, as expected, Maurice Shanahan isn’t fit enough to start, the former Harty and Croke Cup winner with Dungarvan Colleges will hit the frees for Waterford again.
Curran was the star of the show for Waterford in their All-Ireland minor final victory over Galway in 2013, hitting 1-7 on the day.
He’s since graduated to the senior and U21 ranks and after making his senior championship debut last year, he’s stepped up to the mark in 2016 with a string of impressive displays.
5. Colm Galvin (Clare)
Colm Galvin was getting ready for a trip to the United States 12 months ago but what a difference a year makes.
The Clonlara dynamo has enjoyed a superb League campaign to date and reserved some of his best form for the rampant semi-final victory over Kilkenny, when he collected five points from play in a roaming commission around the middle third.
A three-time All-Ireland U21 medallist from 2012-2014, Galvin earned himself an All-Star in 2013 after starring for the seniors during their march to September glory.
Comfortable at midfield or in the half forward line, Galvin is an elusive player whose low centre of gravity enables him to break tackles with ease.
He returned to the Clare set-up after coming home from America last June but the Banner County’s season ended early and Galvin has benefited from a full campaign this year.
6. Michael Walsh (Waterford)
The unsung hero of the Waterford team, elder statesman Walsh remains a vital cog in the Déise wheel.
He’s one of those players whose enormous volume of work goes unnoticed but the younger stars in an exciting forward line will tell you how vital Walsh is to the cause.
His unselfish running and ability to win dirty ball allows those around him to do their stuff and the former captain would love nothing more than to claim an elusive All-Ireland medal.
Walsh has played alongside some exceptionally gifted players since making his senior championship debut back in 2003.
He came on as a sub to replace Tony Browne against Kerry back then and has since gone on to claim three Munster titles, three All-Star awards and two League crowns.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
