A real clash of the heavyweights. Prendergast has a good track record against Curran, having got the better of him in the All Ireland quarterfinal two years ago. But the St Finbarr's man put a disappointing 2005 behind him to enjoy a fine summer last year and win his third All Star, and he carried that form over into last month's match against Clare, when he was supreme. Both men are strong in the air.

Impossible to call a winner, but the outcome of the game could be decided here should one player or other dominate.

KEN McGRATH v NIALL McCARTHY

Outstanding class meets honest endeavour. McGrath likes to cover across his half-back line and clear the ball quickly; McCarthy is a great warhorse who may lack silky touches but who has come up trumps for Cork on many an occasion. His objective will be straightforward: keep moving the ball fast, get the sliotar into his hand and run at McGrath. If McCarthy can get on top of Waterford's "eldmarshal, it would be a great boost for his colleagues.

BRIAN MURPHY v JOHN MULLANE OR PAUL FLYNN

On the grounds that the job is too big an ask for the newcomer Shane O'Neill, expect Cork to put Brian Murphy, their best marker, on Mullane. Murphy has done well against Tipperary's Eoin Kelly in the past; the difference is that Mullane is considerably faster than Kelly.

Despite an iffy opening hour, Mullane came good in the closing stages of the league final when it mattered most. He held his patience . . . and more importantly, his head . . . against Kilkenny and it worked in his and his team's favour. Now he needs to do this in every fixture.

Murphy may also see action against Paul Flynn, who has been selected at full-forward but will have a spell in the corner at some point in the proceedings.