The Kilkenny under-21 manager Richie Power yesterday praised the enthusiasm of his two senior stars, Michael Kavanagh and Henry Shefflin as they prepare for Sunday's All-Ireland final against Galway.

Power declared that the entire squad had been uplifted by their unfailing dedication in the wake of an extremely upsetting week for Kilkenny hurling.

"I suppose we were all down after last Sunday, it was a disappointing conclusion to what had been a fine year for the senior team. But this bunch of under-21 players have put in a tremendous effort of their own, they really have been a fabulous group to work with throughout the season. "Both Henry and Michael went to great lengths to participate in all team events. Their reaction to the senior defeat has been heartening."

Although the manager admitted he could empathise with the sense of dejection both players have been struggling with, having himself lost an All-Ireland final to Tipperary in 1991 and against Galway in 1987, he underlined their central importance to Kilkenny's aspirations on Sunday.

"When you have worked so hard and geared yourself towards a goal like winning a senior All-Ireland for so long, it's often tempting to just walk away for a while in the face of such a great let down. I still remember how awful it felt in those years when I lost with Kilkenny. But these two lads have shown tremendous courage in shaking themselves so quickly and are now looking forward to the match and the other fellows on the rest of the squad are appreciative of that.

"The week before the senior All-Ireland, both lads showed up at a training session we held and just stood on the sideline, just to be a part of the thing."

I have no doubt that these two lads will win senior All-Ireland medals with Kilkenny in the years ahead but for now, we are all anxious to make the efforts we have put into this campaign pay."

Power has already stated that Galway impressed him in overcoming Tipperary in the under-21 semi-final.

"This is a team I have been following for a number of years. I watched the Galway minor team of three years ago, many of whom have come through to the current under-21 set-up and saw them play in the All-Ireland minor final three years ago against Tipperary. Even then they were fine young players and probably ought to have won that day, they certainly created enough chances."

While he acknowledged that the Kilkenny hurling fan base would probably view Sunday's match as an opportunity to salvage some cheer after consecutive September disappointments, he doesn't feel that it heightens the pressure on his young charges in any way.

However, Galway manager Noel Lane has already expressed the worry that Cork's defeat of Kilkenny in last Sundays All-Ireland would provoke something of a backlash from Power's team.

The match takes place in Tullamore at 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, Meath continue to harbour concerns over the fitness of Ollie Murphy and Tommy Dowd. Both participated in training last night in Navan but, as team physiotherapist Frank Foley acknowledged, they are "still minding themselves to an extent".

Murphy is still not turning as freely as he would desire but the hope is that he will gradually loosen out next week.

Dowd, however, came through a challenge game with his club on Tuesday evening with no recurrence of the back trouble which has interrupted his summer.

The feeling is now that he will be fit enough to make an appearance against Cork at some stage if so required. While there will be speculation that Sean Boylan and his selectors might spring Dowd from the start - particularly if Ollie Murphy fails to recover - it is as yet unfounded.

Dowd has been unable to train fully for 11 weeks, something which may count against him.

A report in yesterday's edition of The Irish Times stated that Galway manager John O'Mahony began his association with the team prior to the 1997 championship. His term in fact began in September 1997, after that summer's championship and at the conclusion of Val Daly's time in charge.