1.
CIARÁN LEEN (Craughwell/Presentation Athenry) A player that has impressed no end at intercounty and schools level in the last few year, Leen is a player in a rich vein of form.He is the current top scorer in the competition with 2-17 in just two matches and his ability to score from all angles in the scoring zone is a weapon that Athenry will hope to utilise. He has history of performing against Tippeary teams, too. In the All-Ireland minor semi-final of 2024 when Galway were down to 14-players, the Craughwell player was incredibly efficient with his shooting and was very hard to handle in a game that Tipperary narrowly won despite the numerical advantage. Leen has been prolific from play but has also nailed his placed balls in the absence of Aaron Niland, and it is a responsibility that he has risen to with real confidence. His most recent game against St Kieran’s saw him notch 1-6 from full forward and his battle with Evan Morris could be key.
2.
Euan Murray (Durlas Óg/Thurles CBS) Euan Murray’s quality is well-known to the Tipperary public at this point and, like his team overall, he has improved with each passing round. He and his clubmate Kieran Rossiter have impressed at midfield and when you consider that the pair are still U17 - named in James Woodlock’s minor hurling panel for 2025 earlier this week, you can understand just how much potential is there. He has hit 0-8 this term but his scoring prowess is not the biggest factor in his game, but his ability to gain possession, link up the play and his deliveries into the prolific inside forward line that Thurles CBS have been using to good effect all year, has set up countless scores and chances this year. He has improved with every game and it is probably fair to say that he has more to offer yet and if Thurles CBS are to be successful at GAA headquarters this St Patrick’s Day, they will need Murray to produce his absolute best on the day. READ NEXT: 'Some of our boys are haunted by a one-point loss to Pres Athenry two years ago' - Thurles CBS boss