The Galway minor hurlers take on Tipperary this Sunday in the All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park (1.30pm ) in an eagerly anticipated repeat of last year's decider, which Galway won.
Both counties have the same management teams as last season, with Jeffrey Lynskey in charge of Galway.
He is joined by an experienced backroom team of John Commins, Shane Cusack and Gavin Keary, with PJ Kelly as strength and conditioning coach.
Having beaten Liam Cahill's Tipperary in last year's decider, Galway know the Tipp lads will be coming to Jones Road this weekend well revved up for revenge.
"Tipperary will be very keen to get one over on us after last year and that is only natural," says Lynskey. "We would be the exact same if the roles were reversed. Tipperary have played four championship games to date and we have had one [against Antrim], which means they have a bit of an advantage as regards competitive games.
"Unfortunately that is something Galway have to deal with every year at minor and U21 levels, and it is far from ideal. However we are totally focused on getting a big performance out of our lads this weekend and that is the only thing we are concerned with.
"Tipp will come with their plan and we will have ours, but the bottom line is that it will be whichever group of players perform on the day that will be heading to a final. Galway hurlers have a good record at minor level in Croke Park and that is something we want to continue."
Experience
Galway have nine players from last year's successful panel available again this season which is a positive from an experience point of view.
Most of those players, such as impressive full-back Jack Fitzpatrick, Ian O' Brien, midfielders Jack Coyne and Ross Malone, Clarinbridge's Evan Niland, Cianan Fahy, Patrick Foley, Liam Forde, and big full-forward Cian Salmon, will be expected to provide leadership and produce effective and valuable displays for the team on Sunday.
In their only championship game thus far, Galway defeated Antrim easily by 2-22 to 0-9 with Evan Niland operating at centre-forward the top scorer with 1-7 (4fs ). Cian Salmon hit Galway's other goal.
Jack Canning also caught the eye with three points from play in a three-minute burst in the first quarter and a good work-rate from wing-forward. He is a nephew of senior star Joe Canning, and hopefully both will be part of winning panels by 5pm on Sunday evening.
The Galway minor team will be announced on Friday night and apart from Mark Kelly (hamstring ) the management team has a full panel from which to select.
"We have worked really hard since last January with the lads, and played some really high quality challenges against Cork and Dublin. They are a terrific group of lads and we are heading up to Croke Park in a very positive frame of mind.
"If we play to our capabilities, we will be difficult to stop. Getting the best out of all of the lads is what we are hoping for. If we do that, the result will take care of itself."
