It does not get any easier for the Galway hurlers. After last weekend's 2-16 to 1-16 loss to Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, they now face Tipperary in Pearse Stadium on Sunday (2pm ) in round four of the 1A league.
After two consecutive defeats to Waterford and the Cats, next Sunday is an important game for Anthony Cunningham's team.
Another defeat would plunge them into a probable relegation play-off and, as everyone knows, teams need to get points from their home games.
Galway will have targeted this game for a win. Their last game is away to the All-Ireland champions Clare in Cusack Park, and that will not be an easy game to collect two points.
Tipperary went down last weekend to the Banner by 4-15 to 0-20. The concession of those four goals, along with the five they conceded against Kilkenny, will give some hope to the Galway forward line that they can get in for a few green flags against the Tipp rearguard.
Galway did have three or four good goal chances last Sunday against Kilkenny in the first half, but all were spurned. They were behind by 2-11 to 0-8 at half time which left them with too much to do in the second half.
Admittedly they battled hard, and outscored the home side by 1-8 to 0-5 in the second half. However no one can afford to give a top side a nine-point lead and expect to overhaul them.
Tipperary are handsome favourites to win this weekend at 8/13, with the home side available at 6/4. It is 10/1 for a draw.
With a good vocal home support and with the right attitude from the start, that 6/4 might represent some value.
