Willie Ryan, who was named team captain at the start of the season, had to make do with a place on the substitutes bench. Goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, full-forward Eoin Kelly and right-corner forward Lar Corbett were the only survivors from the last Tipperary team to play in an All-Ireland final in 2001. Kilkenny manager Brian Cody in naming his team, omitted 2008 All-Ireland-winning captain James ``Cha'' Fitzpatrick for the final in favour of Derek Lyng.
James ``Cha'' Fitzpatrick
Derek Lyng