Fagan flying the Royal County flag in All-Ireland showpiece

There will be huge Meath interest in today's All-Ireland SHC final as Rathmolyon man Jack Fagan bids to help Waterford negotiate Limerick in the Croke Park showdown.

Fagan has made a major impact for his adopted county this year and has featured for the Munster men in the NHL, Munster and All-Ireland SHC this year.

Fagan played a major role in helping Waterford get the better of Kilkenny by 2-27 to 2-23 in the All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park two weeks ago.

The Rathmolyon man's achievements are a delight for Meath hurling committee chairman Martin O'Halloran.

"It's great to see Jack's talent blossom and to see him emerge as one of the best hurlers in the country," stated O'Halloran.

"Jack was always dedicated, always committed no matter whether he was playing for Rathmolyon, Meath or Waterford," he added.

School was at Dangan NS and Boyne Community School, Trim and then IT Carlow where he played for the college side before transferring to Waterford club De La Salle.

Five years ago Fagan featured for Meath in a 1-21 to 1-5 Christy Ring Cup win against Wicklow at Trim, but the Royal County lost out to today's Joe McDonagh Cup finalists Kerry (2-18 to 1-23) in the next round at Austin Stack Park.

Earlier this year Fagan, along with former Brighton & Hove Albion player Dessie Hutchinson was selected to start their first Munster SHC game for Waterford against Cork.

Waterford won that game, but subsequently lost (0-21 to 0-25) to Limerick in the Munster decider.

Waterford defeated Clare by 3-27 to 3-18 in the All-Ireland quarter-final with Fagan getting his team's third goal.

Fagan played a major part in helping Waterford recover from a seven-point deficit at the interval to win the semi-final against Kilkenny by 2-27 to 2-23 after a thrilling second-half display.

Fagan could now create a little piece of Meath hurling history later this afternoon and help Waterford do the same.

The Waterford team is: Stephen O'Keeffe; Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Shane McNulty; Calum Lyons, Tadhg De Burca, Kevin Moran; Jamie Barron, Kieran Bennett; Jack Fagan, Neil Montgomery, Stephen Bennett; Dessie Hutchinson, Austin Gleeson, Jack Prendergast.

The curtainraiser is the Joe McDonagh Cup final between Antrim and Kerry.

Watch the All-Ireland final and the Joe McDonagh Cup final on RTÉ2 from 12.30pm today for a feast of hurling.