Enda McEvoy: Something a little different about this Kilkenny, a smidgen of added cohesiveness 

Avoid conceding more than two goals and Kilkenny have no excuses not to win.

STILL STANDING TALLEST: TJ Reid of Kilkenny wins possession ahead of Fintan Burke of Galway during the Leinster final. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Optimum scenario for each of the four teams this weekend? Dublin a win. Kilkenny a win. Tipperary a win. Cork a narrow win.

Optimum-plus scenario for Kilkenny and Tipp? Be involved in a humdinger, scrape home – and have Cork or Dublin stroll in by eight or nine points this evening.