Moaning about the unorthodoxy of his game is like complaining about the sound Jimi Hendrix made when he played guitar with a drumstick.

One of the very limited number of Mayo players who came away from the 2004 "nal with nothing to apologise for. Kicks longer than anybody who's more accurate, kicks more accurately than anyone who's longer.

Must then use that incredible skill to score as well as create. Nothing makes his people believe like a dreamy McDonald point . . . if he can muster more than the usual two, they're in business.

3 Michael McCarthy v Conor Mortimer 14
Age 28 Club Kilcummin Occupation Draftsman
Age 24 Club Shrule-Glencorrib Occupation Student Cork were a one-trick pony and once James Masters failed to gallop, that was that.

Therefore Kerry have only faced one decent attack all year, and during their quarterfinal against Armagh, Steven McDonnell and Ronan Clarke hit 1-8 between them.

There were times in that game where Kerry looked stretched at the back and Mayo provide a similar threat. If they get their tails up, McCarthy could very quickly find himself swamped. Will hope Kerry's half-back line get forward enough to leave Ciaran McDonald on the back foot and Mortimer with little ball to work with.

Has bulked up a lot since starting out in DCU and now plays a much more intense game. Better decision making combined with a better right foot has seen his stock rise sharply. Has made light work of both Paul Griffin and Joe Higgins in the last two rounds and will expect to do something similar today. Has also been impeccable from dead-balls.

The only doubt? This is an All Ireland final. His last outing in a September showpiece was a miserable one and if he can't inspire those around him today, then nobody can.

6 Seamus Moynihan v Ger Brady 11
Age 32 Club Glenfiesk Occupation Company rep
Age 26 Club Ballina Occupation Sports coach If allowed, he will dictate the game from his own 40.

Superb in possession and tough in the tackle.

Mayo's half-forwards need to pressurise him throughout in order to limit his time and influence. Might be slightly worried if the game opens up. Won't want to be isolated but with the ability of those flanking him either side, it shouldn't be a problem. His experience and class should compensate for his age although Bryan Cullen would have hoped to take charge of his semi-final from the number six position and look at what Ger Brady did there.

His ability to break the tackle may be of little use against Moynihan, but if he can't go through him, he can always go around him. Has genuine pace but will need quick ball so he's not double-teamed by the likes of Tomas O Se. When Mayo played at pace during the league, his tallies and influence were immense. Slowed a little when Mayo floundered early in the championship but has the ability to be a surprise hero if he's on his game. Will need a supply that allows him space and time.

8 Darragh O Se v Ronan McGarrity 8
Age 30 Club An Ghaeltacht Occupation Auctioneer
Age 24 Club Ballina Occupation Bookmaker

Reputation took a kicking after Nicholas Murphy was taken out of commission in the semi-final. But O Se has always been just as sinned against as sinning when it comes to . . . how shall we put this? . . . being streetwise in the middle of the park. Still, add Cork's complaints to Ronan McGarrity's felling at Ciaran Whelan's hands and it's hard to see Brian Crowe letting O Se away with much today. Could be crucial. The most dominant midfielder of his generation has looks to have met his match . . . and maybe more . . . in McGarrity.

Today's the day. The sight of him broken and sobbing in the dressing room at half-time in the Dublin game steeled the players who had to carry on without him and reach the "nal for him. He's younger than O Se, he'll catch at least as much high ball and he has the engine to still be getting up and down when the minutes are becoming scarce. Has only "nished one of the last three games, however, albeit through no fault of his own.

He wasn't ready in 2004. He better be now.

13 Colm Cooper v Keith Higgins 4
Age 23 Club Dr Crokes Occupation Bank official
Age 21 Club Ballyhaunis Occupation Student

Has had to acquaint himself with the alien concept of doubt this year and yet still finds himself in his fourth All Ireland final, his reputation such that he must still be considered the danger man no matter what impact his full-forward has had. Has ended Mayo's championship interest in each of the last two years and has played immaculately in each of the last two finals. With Gooch around, the goal is always on . . . when was the last time you saw him fist a handy point over the bar?

It isn't etched in stone that he'll be the one going to shake Cooper's hands when the anthem "nishes, as Dermot Geraghty was the one who eventually managed to put some sort of shackle on him in 2004. But whoever he's on, Higgins has a bit of rebuilding to do after getting burned by Alan Brogan in the semi-final. To his credit, he showed massive guts and concentration to produce the winsaving block at the death against Dublin even though he'd had a bad day. Only allowed one bad one a year, though.

14 Kieran Donaghy v David Heaney 3
Age 23 Club Austin Stacks OccupationManager, Q Sports, Tralee
Age 29 Club Swinford Occupation Quantity surveyor

If Kerry win an All Ireland, so much will have been down to him. First suggested what was to come when making Longford look the team they were last year and has shown no sign of slowing. With Mike Frank and the Gooch either side, even those balls he fails to hold will more than likely be broken for points. But it's the goal threat, when he does catch clean, that will have had Mayo sleepless last night. Not just there for his catching, but a fine footballer too. It's a possibility that Ronan McGarrity may be forced to pick him up if he excels.

He thinks he knows what's coming, but it's hard for any full-back to know just what to expect against Kieran Donaghy. Has been brave and strong all year and done very little wrong to justify the question marks surrounding him. Problem is, he'll have seen Francie Bellew and Derek Kavanagh suffer torrid afternoons and neither even hinted at how to stop Kerry's giant fullforward. Tends to foul quite a bit which could become a worry if there's an early yellow. If he's still on the edge of the square after 70, he'll have done his job well.

1 DAVID CLARKE V DIARMUID MURPHY 1
Age 31 Club An Daingean Occupation
Age 27 Club Ballina Occupation Garda Insurance clerical officer

In an era serviced with a fine crop of top-class goalkeepers, Murphy stands tall with the best. Has been consistent in his shot stopping and distribution and it takes a truly well-placed ball, a la Peter Canavan's last year, to actually beat him. If he and Darragh O Se work off the same hymn sheet for kick-outs it will give Kerry a huge advantage in gaining primary possession. A player who likes the big stage and normally turns in big performances in this setting.

It's been a tale of two goalkeepers for Mayo this year as clubmates John Healy and Clarke played their own game of musical chairs. Now "rmly the man in possession, Clarke has brought extra con"dence to what was a shaky defence. Big and imposing, he also possesses a massive kick-out and it was his decision to vary the length and the placement which helped resuscitate Mayo when they seemed down and out against Dublin. Will need same alertness to keep Kerry guessing today.

V4 TOM O'SULLIVAN
Age 27 Club Rathmore Occupation Garda
Age 32 Club Na Fianna (Dublin) Occupation Business development manager Above all years, Kerry's fullback line has come under tremendous pressure so far.

O'Sullivan normally provides a dependable service but he has struggled at times this season, particularly in the quarter "nal when Steven McDonnell took him for 1-5. The Rathmore man has been around since '99 though and knows what's required on the big day. He's a strong defender who has thrived since he found a permanent space in the corner and has the man-marking abilities required to keep a tight reign on Kevin O'Neill.

Mayo's real renaissance man and the only change to the side that beat Dublin. It's 13 years since he he picked up an All Star but O'Neill has come back with a bang. It doesn't matter that he started only one championship game all year, his contribution at crucial times has been massive. Kicked a huge point to level against Galway and brought his quiet composure when introduced in the semi. Unlikely he'll play for 70 minutes, but will still put his stamp on proceedings.

12 ALAN DILLON V5 TOMAS O SE
Age 27 Club An Ghaeltacht Occupation
Age 23 Club Ballintubber Occupation Engineer Teacher

Has returned to form since Kerry hit Croke Park. A big display against Armagh saw him run for miles and leave the Ulster champions in disarray.

Always good for a few scores and with his con"dence now restored, would like to spend a lot of time in the opposition half.

But coping with his man today poses a big problem. Having to mark Dillon, O Se will feel under an unusual pressure to restrict his football and forward runs.

Stopping Dillon would be far more important than his usual couple of points.

Definite All Star. Showed potential in 2004 but shrivelled when Ciaran McDonald returned to the fold. This year, if anything, he's overshadowed McDonald. Scored superb points. Won superb ball.

Distributed superb passes. A class act but a question hangs around his defensive ability. If there's anyone who can exploit that aspect of his game, it will be Tomas O Se but like Ger Brady did to Bryan Cullen in the semi-"nal, Dillon will hope to force his marker to concentrate on defensive responsibilities.

10 BILLY JOE PADDEN V7 AIDAN O'MAHONY
Age 25 Club Rathmore Occupation Garda
Age 24 Club Belmullet Occupation Town planner

Aside from Marc O Se, O'Mahony has been Kerry's most consistent defender all year. He provides the management with numerous options and could pick up one of three players today . . . Padden, McDonald or even Brady. He's a tight marker and a supreme tackler who's also comfortable on the ball going forward. It's likely that he'll drift in and out between the full-back and half-back lines as the game unfolds. Once or twice this year he has been guilty of conceding needless free kicks and will have to be disciplined.

There's a big onus on Padden to exert his presence on today's game. He's well capable of winning ball around the mid"eld area but in the last three games he has been anonymous for long periods.

He must put his head on the line and must win secondary possession for Mayo if they are going to threaten Kerry up front.

He was substituted against Dublin after 40 minutes and the game seemed to pass him by. A good display in an All Ireland "nal can airbrush what went before though. He's due one.

9 PAT HARTE V9 TOMMY GRIFFIN
Age 28 Club Dingle Occupation Publican Age 24 Club Ballina Occupation Student Underrated? We don't think so and a possible weak link in the Kerry set up. Works hard but at this level and on this day. . . David Brady will enter at some stage and if Griffin is forced to pick him up, he will be overwrought physically. If Brady takes to O Se . . . a more likely scenario . . . then Griffin could struggle with the aerial prowess of McGarrity.

Needs to hang in there and not be taken to town too badly. If he is, then his defence will have a long, hard day. See Michael McCarthy.

If, as many reckon, Ronan McGarrity fails to contend with the physical nature of Darragh O Se, then Pat Harte becomes a vital weapon in the Mayo armoury. Has had a "ne championship, getting through an immense amount of work and will fancy his chances if he's allowed to go head-tohead with Kerry's number two centre-"elder. Fouls too much for someone in his position and will have to take to the skies more often if David Clarke sees it as necessary to direct the kick-out in his direction.

7 PEADAR GARDINER V10 SEAN O'SULLIVAN
Age 26 Club Cromane Occupation
Age 27 Club Crossmolina Occupation Bank official Bank official

Since his start this season against Armagh, O'Sullivan has given Kerry an extra dash of pace and he's scored well in the process. There's now a nice balance of toil and speed on the Kerry wings. Crucially, he has also given some of the most intelligent passes for Donaghy.

There's a tendency to drift out of games at times and should he find himself on Gardiner, his defensive abilities will be put to the test. Without the deep runs provided by Brosnan, Kerry will look to O'Sullivan to link with his inside forwards.

Gardiner has been one of Mayo's most consistent players all season and his foraging runs have become a trademark of this team. He's likely to push forward at every opportunity today and stretch Sean O'Sullivan as much as he can.

It's going to fall on Nallen and Aidan Higgins to cover the Mayo 40 in his absence. He was effective against Galway in the Connacht semi-final and exceptional in the drawn game against Laois when he trampled every blade of grass in Croke Park.

6 JAMES NALLEN V11 DECLAN O'SULLIVAN
Age 22 Club Dromid Pearses Occupation
Age 29 Club Crossmolina Occupation University lecturer Merchandising

Even though O'Sullivan is going well in training and he had one of his best games against Mayo two years back, it's still a strange move by Jack O'Connor to recall his captain and clubmate. Eoin Brosnan is extremely unlucky to miss out as he is more likely to benefit from the width and depth that Kieran Donaghy provides the attack. O'Sullivan will have to release the ball earlier than he usually does and provide penetration through the middle if his much talked about selection is to work.

More than any other player on the "eld, Nallen craves and deserves an All Ireland medal.

He's been put to the test on a couple of occasions this summer, most notably against Chris Conway five weeks back, and was substituted early in the second half against Dublin. The train-like runs of Brosnan may have troubled him more than the deep, roving play of O'Sullivan and Nallen will be keen to atone for O'Sullivan's dominance in 2004. Today, of all days, he won't require any added incentive.

5 AIDAN HIGGINS V12 PAUL GALVIN
Age 26 Club Finuge Occupation Teacher
Age 29 Club Charlestown Occupation Accountant

Loved and loathed in equal measures but Galvin has become an integral part of this Kerry team over the past two years. His work rate is phenomenal and so is his ability to win loose possession around the middle. The only question marks surrounding Galvin hang over a tendency to lose his composure. His involvement in a petty incident against Armagh and his subsequent dismissal at a crucial time could have cost Kerry the game. He'll need composure and maturity in the heat of an All Ireland "nal.

Higgins is 30 today and one of a group of players to have found a second wind under new management. He wasn't even on the panel last year but over the past month he has cemented his place for today with some solid performances.

Can play on either wing, sometimes supplementing the Mayo attack and has scored in both of his championship starts. He won't be fazed by the 'in-your-face' antics of Paul Galvin and has the drive to match his opponent.

2 DERMOT GERAGHTY V15 MIKE FRANK RUSSELL
Age 28 Club Laune Rangers
Age 23 Club Shrule-Glencorrib Occupation Student Occupation Teacher

One of the most intelligent forwards in the game today, Russell provides the space and angled runs from which Cooper is likely to find some joy. Since he started against Longford, he's settled back into the side and even if his work rate has dwindled in the past year or two, he has improved with each game. He was Kerry's top scorer in the semi-final with a tally of six points and will be expected to reap a similar haul today.

Well built, with shoulders like a rugby prop, Geraghty has quietly gone about his business this season. Against Dublin he did a fine job on Tomas Quinn.

The only time he looks in real trouble is when a forward comes at him with pace and it was significant that the Mayo management refused to switch him on Alan Brogan, who was giving Keith Higgins a roasting in the other corner. Drafted in specially to look after Gooch two years back and Cooper thrived. His tussle with Mike Frank will be more understated.

BENCH MARKING V KERRY SUBSTITUTES
Hard to escape the feeling that if it was Dublin or one of the northern teams that Kerry were facing, Eoin Brosnan's 6'3" frame wouldn't be sat in the Hogan Stand at 3.30 today.

Will see action if mid"eld and/or Declan O'Sullivan isn't working out. Darren O'Sullivan's shock and awe will likely appear at some stage, and Eamon Fitzmaurice's experience could be called upon to settle heads as time runs dead. Maybe not the most exciting prospects on paper but don't forget the Armagh game was closed out by the Kerry bench.

MAYO SUBSTITUTES
Funny thing. Despite the plethora of All Ireland medals on the Kerry bench, the Mayo one looks to have the more game-winning potential. Or at least more game-changing.

David Brady will surely have no more bit to chomp on by the time he comes on and Aidan Kilcoyne has impressed more and more with every outing.

Add the two Morans, the dropped Michael Conroy and consider that neither Trevor Mortimer nor Austin O'Malley has "gured in any meaningful way yet and you're talking some serious firepower ready and waiting.