A full round of senior championship hurling games is down for decision this weekend in round two of the group stages.
One fixture that will attract a good deal of interest is between current county champions Sarsfields, and recent champions Gort on Sunday in Loughrea (1.30pm ).
Sarsfields had a solid 1-18 to 1-15 last weekend over former All-Ireland club champions St Thomas, and Cathal Murray’s charges will be keen to build on that victory.
Gort were involved in a great tussle last Sunday with Castlegar before going down by four points, 2-22 to 4-12.
Gort were favourites for the 2016 title before last weekend at 10/3, but after conceding 2-22 there has to be some concerns over their defensive stability, while Greg Lally (cruciate ) is out for the season so they are down a top class centre-back.
Sarsfields are under the same management team so player-manager Cathal Murray and selectors Willie Earls and Padraic Earls will know that another win in three days’ time would put them in a strong position to make the quarter-finals.
Gort will be looking to big displays from county star Aidan Harte, team captain Sylvie Óg Linnane, Jason Grealish, Richie Cummins, and Mark McMahon to ensure that they are not zero from two.
There is also an attractive double header on in Kenny Park on Sunday with Loughrea and St Thomas (5pm ) and Portumna and Liam Mellows in action at 6.30pm.
A full list of all the hurling championship games is available on galwaygaa.ie
