All-Ireland final: Ollie Canning and JJ Delaney preview Kilkenny v Galway

Ahead of Sunday's All Ireland SHC final between Galway and Kilkenny, we asked Ollie Canning and JJ Delaney seven key questions.

Does one team enjoy a clear advantage over the other?

Ollie Canning: Both teams are very well matched. They both have power, skill and huge appetites to work hard. They both have question marks over the experience in their full-back lines too.

But it is a huge advantage for Galway that they've played twice as many games this championship as Kilkenny. At the start of the year, Galway had a lot of work to do but backed by those games they have responded to every challenge. 

JJ Delaney: Kilkenny have the advantage of experience. They've been here before. Their management have prepared so many winning teams in the past. Kilkenny also have huge experience on the bench. Players like Richie Power, who I'd expect to feature at some stage.

For Galway, games do matter. It is an obvious advantage for them that they've played six games to get to the final. And they are much improved from the team that took to the field against Dublin earlier on in the summer.

What's the one thing Galway need to get right to win?

Ollie: Their work rate around the middle is going to be key. In the semi-final, Galway dispossessed Tipperary through some crucial plays around the middle third and turned them into scores. They really need to match these stats again. 

Galway would need to be concerned about Kilkenny's habit of starting fast but I'm sure there main focus will be on their own performance levels.

Galway's players are making better decisions under pressure and if they can continue to do this it will have a major influence on where the Liam McCarthy Cup will go on Sunday evening.

JJ: They need to get off to a good start. They cannot concede early goals or the kind of goals they conceded against Tipperary. If Kilkenny hit three goals then you couldn't see them being beaten from there.

By extension, they need to firm-up their full-back line. This isn't all down to Padraig Mannion, who was tasked with marking Seamus Callanan the last day. Full-back lines are made vulnerable by the quality of the ball coming down on top of them.

The first line of defence is to stop that ball coming in from out the field. That's where pressure needs to be applied.

What's the one thing Kilkenny need to get right to win?

Ollie: It's an obvious one but they need to find a way of getting a regular supply of ball to TJ Reid, Richie Hogan and Ger Aylward.

Down the other end, many of the Galway forwards were well marshalled in the Leinster final against Kilkenny. Galway rotated their forwards against Tipperary creating a lot of space in the semi-final which led to a number of scores and I'm sure Kilkenny will be looking at closing down that space in the final. 

JJ: It's a general thing but Kilkenny's work rate grinds teams down and their lifeblood is goals. It's been a winning formula.

Will Galway play with a sweeper?

Ollie: I expect them to line out normally but maybe with the centre-back pulling closer to the full-back line. I don't expect them to play an out-and-out sweeper. Kilkenny played a sweeper against Waterford but that was only in response to Waterford's sweeper system on the day. 

JJ: I don't think so. It would be very difficult to adjust and perfect a system, to the level required, in time for the final. I'd expect to see players like Andy Smith back there supporting and their half-forward line dropping back into midfield to try and bottle up that area.  

Do you expect any surprises?

Ollie: I think both teams will set up man for man. I expect it to be very physical in the middle of the pitch but I expect both teams to line up 15 on 15 with midfielders playing a more defensive role. No real surprises there I'd say.

JJ: Cathal Mannion and Jason Flynn have taken off this summer. Galway are no longer just reliant on Joe Canning to hit the scores. Cyril Donnellan coming back is a huge plus and he's a very effective player and Jonathan Glynn's ability on the ball means the Galway forwards have a nice balance.

Richie Power is going well in training for Kilkenny but I'd still expect him to start from the bench.

Who are the players that need to perform for both Galway and Kilkenny if they are to win?

Ollie: Galway need Jonathan Glynn to get on the ball and how he uses these possessions to combine with the forwards around him is going to be critical.

For Kilkenny, Richie Hogan is the key man. I felt Daithi Burke did a great job of containing him for nearly half the game in the Leinster final and it was only when Richie moved further out the field that he began to have a major influence on that game.

Michael Fennelly is a powerful presence in midfield and has the potential to dictate the play from there. TJ Reid can capitalise on that.

JJ: For Galway, David Burke was immense against Tipperary. He picked up a huge amount of ball in midfield. Joe Canning remains a pivotal player. He missed some scores against Tipperary but I'd be more worried if if he wasn't taking on those scores.

For Kilkenny, Michael Fennelly is a powerful presence in midfield and has the potential to dictate the play from there. TJ Reid can capitalise on that. It doesn't matter if the ball in to him is low or high, give him half a chance and he'll goal.

I can't wait to see who picks up who. I'd expect to see Daithi Burke on Hogan and maybe Johnny Coen - one of the best man markers around - on TJ Reid. 

Who is going to win?

Ollie: I've a sneaking suspicion for Galway. They're arriving with a lot of momentum. Kilkenny won the Leinster final comfortably but I think Galway have come on hugely since then.

Galway's players are making better decisions under pressure and if they can continue to do this it will have a major influence on where the Liam McCarthy Cup will go on Sunday evening.

JJ: Galway don't fear Kilkenny. They are an improving side and the first 10-15 minutes will be a real battle but I'd expect the game to open up and players will have the chance to express themselves after that.

I think Kilkenny will have too much for Galway in the middle and their half-forward line. If they're on top here then TJ Reid and Richie Hogan will see plenty of ball and they'll score.

If Kilkenny get a couple of goals then I can't see Galway coming back.

Watch the All-Ireland final between Kilkenny and Galway live on Sky Sports 5 HD on Sunday from 2.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.