All roads lead to Parnell Park this evening for the novel meeting of Tipperary and Tyrone in the All-Ireland U21 FC final.

The Munster champions pulled off a massive upset two weeks when they dethroned a hotly fancied Dublin side on a scoreline of 0-14 to 0-12 while their final opponents were equally impressive in disposing of Roscommon on a scoreline of 0-17 to 0-12.

Unsurprisingly, Tipp manager Tommy Twomey and his selectors have kept faith with the team that overcame Dessie Farrell's Dublin charges for their first ever final appearance at this grade.

Captain Colin O'Riordan and Steven O'Brien form a formidable midfield partnership and Tyrone selector Peter Canavan, who won All-Ireland U21 medals in 1992 and '93, is well aware of the threat they pose.

"In Tipperary, we're probably facing one of the most physical teams that we have played before.

"Their spine is physically very strong and they have a lot of big men, so we're going to be faced with a difficult proposition."

Tyrone, who are aiming to pick up their fifth U21 title, also boast a strong midfield pairing in Frank Burns and Cathal McShane and the result could hinge on who comes out on top around the middle third of the field.

Verdict - Tipperary.

Tipperary team: Evan Comerford; Kevin Fahey, Jimmy Feehan, Colm O'Shaughnessy; Ross Mulcahy, Luke Boland, Bill Maher; Steven O'Brien, Colin O'Riordan; Jason Lonergan, Ian Fahey, Liam Casey; Kevin O'Halloran, Josh Keane, Paul Maher.

Tyrone team: tba.

Match details: Saturday, Parnell Park, 6pm, extra-time playable.

Referee: Fergal Kelly.

Odds: Tipperary 11/8, Draw 13/2, Tyrone 4/5.

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