The Galway senior hurlers start their third senior Leinster championship campaign on Saturday when they take on Westmeath at 7pm in Cusack Park, Mullingar.
The winners of this tie will face a rejuvenated and improving Dublin side in the semi-final on June 18 and that will be a big step up in quality for Galway, assuming they jump this fence with some ease.
Westmeath are managed by current Liam Mellows’ boss Brian Hanley. Although he engineered a good win over Carlow in the first round, Saturday should be a different proposition. Westmeath lost seven consecutive games in division two of the NHL during the year and they operate at a much lower level than their opposition this weekend.
Galway’s starting 15 for Saturday will not include key players Ger Farragher and Joe Canning as both men are currently nursing injuries. Farragher has a knee injury, while Canning is suffering from a hamstring injury sustained in Portumna’s narrow win over Padraig Pearses two weeks ago.
Galway manager John McIntyre and his medical team will assess their respective injuries later in the week to see if they are available to join the subs, but they will not be introduced, or togged unless they are 100 per cent fit for fear of aggravating their injuries.
Galway continued their preparations for the Leinster championship with a 1-19 to 1-13 win over Donal O’Grady’s Limerick last Saturday in Kenny Park.
A late goal by Eanna Ryan sealed the six-point win for the Tribesmen. The game was played in three 25 minute periods and over the 75 minutes Galway had some good displays from David Burke, John Lee, Damien Hayes and Aonghus Callanan. Aiden Harte also came off the bench and hit 0-2. That challenge was followed by a successful open day for youngsters organised by the Galway Hurlers Supporters Club.
Now in his third year in charge of the senior squad, John McIntyre would love to win some summer silverware and a tilt at the Leinster title must be the panel’s immediate priority. On the other side of the draw, Kilkenny will face Wexford in the semi-final and the Leinster final is fixed for July 3.
Saturday evening is a no-win situation for Galway. They are expected to win comfortably.
The best case scenario for Galway is a solid performance, a good victory with no injuries, and then they can refocus and set their sights on the clash with Anthony Daly’s side on June 18.
The bookies have Kilkenny as hot favourites at 4/7 to win the Leinster title, with Galway at 3/1, Dublin 4/1 and Wexford at 14/1.
In the race to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup, Galway are a 15/2 punt.
