The 'Blues' bid for an historic success received a major boost at Monday night's Leinster Council meeting where it was announced that O'Connor Park will be the venue (throw-in 2.15pm) for the eagerly awaited showdown.

Tullamore know the venue like the back of their hand, and after clipping the wings of St Rynagh's, Birr and Kilcormac/Killoughey there earlier en-route to claiming the Sean Robbins Cup for the first time since 1964, they'll be hoping it is a happy hunting ground again.

Ballyhale Shamrocks are the holders of six Leinster titles and their triumphs were achieved in 1978 (1-13 to 1-6 versus Crumlin), 1980 (3-10 to 1-8 versus Coolderry), 1983 (3-6 to 0-9 versus Kinnitty), 1989 (2-11 to 0-7 versus Cuala), 2006 (1-20 to 1-8 versus Birr) and last year (2-13 to 1-11 versus Birr). Indeed, the only occasion Ballyhale didn't win when they appeared in a Leinster Final was back in '91 when they lost to Birr.

Ballyhale are backboned by quality players including Henry Shefflin, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Michael Fennelly, Aidan Cummins, Colin Fennelly and the Reid brothers TJ, Eoin and Patrick. They defeated James Stephens in the Kilkenny county final and received serious tests in their wins over Oulart-the-Ballagh (which went to extra-time) and Ballyboden St Enda's in the provincial quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.

Now managed by former Kilkenny 'keeper James McGarry, the Shamrocks bowed out of the AIB All-Ireland Club series last February, losing to Portumna at Semple Stadium. They've come through a far more difficult route than Tullamore to reach Sunday's final and that should stand them in good stead.

This is Tullamore's first voyage in the club championship and they've absolutely nothing to lose and while they are rank outsiders in everyone's eyes, that's exactly the role they relish - as Aidan Fogarty, Pat Joe Whelahan and Johnny Pilkington all found out during the concluding stages of the Offaly championship.

Tullamore were underdogs in each of their games against St Rynagh's, Birr and K/K but it didn't deter them in the slightest.

Tullamore did have to dig deep to fend off Clonkill in the Leinster semi-final at Cusack Park, Mullingar and that test won't have done any harm. It was their first outing in four weeks since winning in Offaly and cobwebs were evident and they'll need to shake these off if they are to claim the scalp of Ballyhale.

Tullamore have to be concerned about their scoring return against Clonkill. 1-12 wasn't a good tally, even more so when one considers that captain Shane Dooley registered eight points all from placed balls. Shane Kelly grabbed two points from mid-field, Francis Kerrigan bagged 1-1 and Kevin Martin a point

If the 'Blues' manage just 1-4 from play on Sunday that certainly won't be enough to upset Ballyhale who may, according to some be suspect at the back. However, in attack, they are absolutely lethal.

And even if Shefflin or TJ Reid was to be curtailed (something that is nigh on impossible over 60 plus minutes), then Colin Fennelly, or TJ and Eoin Reid will invariably step up to the plate.