Cork v Tipperary: Three key match-ups that will decide All-Ireland hurling final at Croke Park

Ciarán Joyce v Jake Morris: 

A deadly goalscorer and the heir to Seamus Callanan's crown as Tipp's marquee forward, Morris has excelled this season in a playmaking role. 

While still chipping in with his quota of points, the Nenagh Éire Óg club man is a disruptive force from the half-forward line. His movement creates space for the rest of the attack and, now 26, he has power to go with his pace.

Morris, a banker for his first All-Star, will most likely be deployed at number 11 and Cork will tag him with Ciarán Joyce. The Castlemartyr defender kept Ronan Hayes quiet in the semi-final and after a tricky first quarter was brilliant in limiting Cian Lynch in the Munster final.

Joyce actually started at centre-back in last year's All-Ireland final with Robert Downey out on Peter Duggan so it wouldn't have a negative impact on the Cork defence if he switches to pick up Morris.

If Morris, who has a knack for raising green flags against Cork, goes inside then Niall O'Leary has marked him a lot before. 

Brian Hayes v Ronan Maher: 

Tipp's reboot of their starting 15 since the defeat to Cork in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh has seen Maher leave his trademark number six berth to add heft and experience to the full-back line. Eoghan Connolly was centre-back against Kilkenny, sniping three superb first-half points, with Maher battling TJ Reid.

The Premier will go down a similar route on Sunday, though Michael Breen could also be on Hayes, as Maher would find Shane Barrett's pace out the field harder to handle.

Hayes is Cork's top-scorer from play this summer, his 5-8 just ahead of Alan Connolly's 4-9, but the Barrs man is far more than just a goal threat. 

He's set up another four championship goals and his flick-ons of long deliveries cause havoc.

The leading contender for Hurler of the Year, Hayes was Man of the Match in last year's semi-final against Limerick but didn't get the same joy two weeks later. Cork need him at his best this time.

Seán O'Donoghue v Jason Forde: 

The set-up of the Cork full-back line will be interesting. Many argue Cork's weakness is the chances given up around O'Donoghue, Eoin Downey and Niall O'Leary. 

Tipp have plundered 15 goals so far. But no better time to dispel that theory.

O'Donoghue has answered a lot of critics this year, starting with snuffing out Darragh McCarthy in the league final. They were paired again in the last meeting but McCarthy saw red at throw-in.

Here, O'Donoghue might be better suited physically to the resurgent Jason Forde, Man of the Match against Kilkenny. Forde will have a huge say as a target inside and could well be handed free-taking duties after McCarthy's recent misses.

That would mean O'Leary would be on the precocious McCarthy with Downey trying to curb sniper John McGrath, another veteran rolling back the years.