Críost Rí hopes depend on O'Sullivan's fitness
Defending champions Coláiste Na Sceilge are seeking to win the championship four years on the trot, while the Cork school are seeking their 14th title, their first since 1998.
Críost Rí are concerned about the fitness of full-forward Jonathan O'Sullivan, who injured his shoulder in the semi-final win over ISK a fortnight ago, and has been receiving treatment.
If O'Sullivan is ruled out, the Capwell side's chances of winning the title would be greatly reduced as he is hugely influential.
He scored five points from play in the quarter-final and followed that with 1-2 in the semis.
Despite their 12 points victory over ISK (2-11 to 0-5) Críost Rí were anything but impressive, something that concerns coach Mick Evans.
"We'll have to play above anything we have this year if we are to dethrone Coláiste na Sceilge," said Evans.
"Defensively we've done well. It's attack that bothers me.
"They have not gelled as a unit and if Jonathan O'Sullivan is forced out, it becomes even harder. If we are firing on all cylinders in attack, I would give ourselves a 50/50 chance.
"I feel there is one big game in our lads and hopefully tomorrow will be the day they produce it. We'll have to put in a performance of a lifetime and if we do, the title will be ours."
The strength of this Críost Rí team has been their defence. Goalkeeper Denis O'Sullivan, full-back Chris Murphy and Jonathan Lane and Ray Keating in the half-back line have been flawless all season. The potential of their forward line is enormous. Paul Kerrigan is a match-winner, but so far has not produced the form that made him a county minor last season.
Roy Leahy is another with immense potential. If both players strike form, together with Eric Hegarty and Peter McCabe, they'll make it very difficult for the Na Sceilge defence.
The one worry for Na Sceilge is that they have not been really tested in any of their games so far, and probably don't know how good their team is.
Flannans posed no threat in the semi-final, although to be fair, they goaled in the second minute, and missed a few more before the champions got to grips with their opponents.
The strength of this Sceilge team is in attack. They have two very talented attackers in Padraig Curran and Paul O'Connor. Add in Kieran O'Leary and Robert Keating, and the Críost Rí backs will have to be at their best to keep this quartet out.
Defensively Na Sceilge are not as good and it's here that this final may be won and lost.
If the Cork forwards are in form and Jonathan O'Sullivan plays, they'll carry a bit more fire power which could end that six-year barren spell.
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