PLAYERS TO WATCH: See the key figures that will be key to their sides in Croke Cup decider

JASON RABBITTE (St Mary's/Presentation Athenry)

Jason Rabbitte has been in scintillating form for the Presentation College in their run to this decider. The team captain has taken up the mantle of the leader in attack in the absence of Aaron Niland in this campaign, and his ability to snap high ball is something that is so rare these days, particularly in terms of the modern coaching, and that will be a weapon from restarts for the Galway side.

He is far from limited to that facet of his game though. The St Mary’s GAA Athenry clubman has been putting some big scores on the board in their Connacht title winning campaign, and he was almost unmarkable in the win over St Kieran's College in the semi-final clast two weeks ago.

Thurles CBS will have a big man in opposition with Keith Loughnane more than capable of challenging aerially, but the Thurles Sarsfields player will have to pick and choose his moments with Rabbitte, with cover needed in behind to protect the full-back line.