The hurling year might only be a couple of weeks old, but tough tasks are arriving thick and fast for Galway.
Hard earned victories over Offaly and Wexford have brought Galway into the Walsh Cup final where the nation's dominant force Kilkenny will provide the opposition at Freshford on Sunday (2.30pm ).
The fact that John McIntyre's charges host the Cats in the Allianz NHL on February 8 at Pearse Stadium adds another layer of interest to the next fortnight.
Galway have reasons to be optimistic. Although leaking six goals is a concern, they have also racked up some handsome scores. Ger Farragher has been on target up front, while Cyril Donnellan has been delivering on his promise.
David Tierney's return to the intercounty scene has been marked with two lively run outs, and with Niall Healy and Aonghus Callanan motoring well, Galway venture to Kilkenny with hope.
Last weekend Adrian Cullinane, Shane Kavanagh, and Ger Mahon formed an interesting Galway half back line, and they will need to police a menacing Kilkenny forward unit.
While the Walsh Cup doesn't top Galway's list of priorities McIntyre, John Moylan, Joe Connolly, and John Hardiman will certainly be encouraged. Winning is a habit, and while Wexford led by three points with 10 minutes on the clock, Galway's composure did not waver. A blistering response saw Galway reel off six points on the trot to safeguard their passage into the decider.
In the dying stages Galway outwitted the locals in New Ross with Farragher and impressive substitute Richie Murray landing blows that mattered. Wexford's direct approach had unnerved Galway, particularly in a first half as three goals were netted.
Though Galway tightened up after the interval, Wexford still managed to breach the Galway defence in the 51st minute. Vast chunks of the remaining minutes belonged to Farragher, whose sweet striking guided Galway past the post.
Despite the triumph Galway will be aware that improvement is necessary if Kilkenny are to be tested. Having annihilated Dublin in the quarter-finals, Kilkenny dealt with Antrim's zeal at Casement Park.
Brian Cody, always striving to increase options, witnessed Richie Hogan end the encounter with a significant 1-10 personal tally. A rich core of experience ran through the Kilkenny team with Brian Hogan, Jackie Tyrrell, James Ryall, John Tennyson, JJ Delaney, Michael Rice, and Aidan Fogarty among the established names that contributed to the Cats' cause.
Relentless and ruthless, Kilkenny will be striving to remain the kings of Leinster and know that Galway possess the potential to knock them off their perch in the coming years.
How Galway cope with Kilkenny's goal-hungry attack will be revealing.
