The Galway senior hurlers resume their Leinster championship campaign this Saturday evening when they travel to O’Moore Park in Portlaoise to take on Laois in the penultimate round of games in the group stage (5pm ).
Nothing less than a resounding win will be expected from Henry Shefflin’s players as they look to claim top spot in the table before the decisive set of fixtures the following week when Dublin travel west.
Laois’ form has been poor to say the least after initially falling to a two-point defeat away to Dublin, with 23 and 27 point losses recorded against Kilkenny and Wexford.
Arguably Laois’ biggest hurling fixtures of the season come after this game, with their Leinster minor final contest against Offaly taking place on the following Monday in the same venue. Cheddar Plunkett’s men then face Westmeath in the last round which will decide which side finishes bottom - so quite where their frame of mind will be on Saturday remains to be seen.
Laois have conceded 9-75 in their three games to date, and Galway will need to be ruthlessly efficient in building a score and advancing their scoring difference. Conor Whelan appears likely to reclaim his position in the forwards, but again it will be interesting to see if Shefflin plays all of his preferred starting 15 or saves some legs for the game against Dublin.
David Burke’s return to the middle third was a resounding success against Kilkenny, while Johnny Coen also played his part, chipping in with a vital goal. The scintillating scoring form of Joseph Cooney and Tom Monaghan is another major positive, while Darren Morrissey continues to grow in stature as corner back alongside team captain Daithí Burke.
After conceding what could have been a tortuous late goal against the Cats, the jury is still out on whether Eanna Murphy is the long term goalkeeping solution. Fintan Burke has been solid at wing back while catching the eye with his scoring exploits from sideline cuts, and Padraic Mannion is already in the conversation for another All-Star on the opposite wing.
Gearóid McInerney is another who appears to be enjoying his hurling more than ever this year, with his marauding solo runs from deep almost becoming a signature move.
Galway should have far too much firepower for Laois to cope with on Saturday. A healthy win and no significant injuries will be just what Shefflin is hoping for ahead of a potentially season-defining joust with Dublin in Salthill.
