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John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Eoin Kelly
Eoin Larkin | Fergus McMahon | Andrew Mitchell | Pat Mulcahy
Sean Óg Ó Hailpin | Ben O'Connor | Joe Rabbite | Dan Sheridan
Henry Shefflin | Tommy Walsh

Joe Rabbitte has had a long and distinguished career with Galway and his club Athenry. The Connacht club champions are gunning for a massive fourth
All-Ireland club title when they face Kilkenny's James Stephen's on St Patrick's Day in Croke Park. Joe knows all about Croke Park, having played there many times for club and county and he is looking forward to being back there this month.

Joe helped to guide his club to county success this year as Athenry reclaimed the county championship crown by beating Portumna. They breezed through Connacht before disposing of a strong Toomevara side in the semi-final last month played in Ennis. They don't come tougher than Kilkenny teams and Joe knows their next assignment will be a hard one.

What has been your greatest sporting moment?
Without a doubt, it was captaining my club to the All-Ireland title, it was such an honour and it meant so much to me.

Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
With the club, it would have to be Sarsfields and with Galway, Kilkenny are always one of the hardest teams to play.

Who was your childhood sporting hero?
It was Galway's Joe Cooney - he has done it all.

How will you pass on your experience to the younger players on the panel coming up to the final?
I will tell them just to go out and enjoy it and to enjoy the day. I will also tell them to do their best. You can't ask for any more than that.

How do you rate your opponents, James Stephen’s?
Any time you play a Kilkenny team, you know you are in a game. They have a lot of inter-county stars and they are a good team, but with a bit of luck we can win.

What advice would you give to young players coming through the ranks?
Just to listen to your teachers, mentors and parents.

What does your club mean to you?
The club means so much because you are playing with the lads you grew up with, the lads you went to school with. The club is where you start off and where you finish up!

© March 2005

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