Galway and Clare will play each other in phase two of the hurling championship qualifiers after the sides gallantly lost to Kilkenny and Tipperary respectively.
And both managers have mixed reactions to the draw that sees them line out in Ennis on July 11.
Galway’s John McIntyre says: “It's probably the one we wanted least. But in terms of keeping management and players on edge and going forward, it's probably the best one we could have had," he said.
"Clare will be a huge test for us. They gave Tipp an 11-point lead, but reeled them in and had Tipp on the ropes coming towards the end - and most people have Tipperary marked out as the second best team in the championship this season."
Clare’s Mike McNamara says: “Playing a team like Galway is probably something we'd like to have avoided at this stage. They're probably one of two teams that people are looking at to challenge Kilkenny and it's going to be a massive challenge for us.
"Our lads will have to put in a 70-minute performance of the kind they produced in the second half against Tipp. If we have a repeat of the first half, then we'll be in trouble. We'll have to remain sharp from now until then and we'll have to keep working hard. It's a home game, it's in Ennis, and we want to make sure that Cusack Park is a fortress for Clare."
Kilkenny are now as short as 2/5 to win the All-Ireland hurling title after their impressive comeback against Galway with Tipp the main challengers priced at 9/2. Galway are 10/1, while Dublin are still 100/1.
Kilkenny manager Brian Cody said both teams deserved credit for producing a Leinster semi-final that lived up to expectation.
"It lived up to all the expectations. Galway are, in my thoughts, potential All-Ireland winners. It's that simple and that's the way I'd look at them.
"They proved that out there. If they go away and build on this, they're going to be serious down the line."
That is exactly what McIntyre and his management team will be looking to do.
"We have obviously something to build on, but the next round of the qualifiers is a trap door for Galway,” McIntyre says.
"We were in with the best team that maybe hurling has ever seen, and we went hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder with them, and gave the crowd good value for money."
