McIntyre demands ÔintensityÕ

Stephen Glennon

Galway senior hurling manager John McIntyre believes his charges will need to “bring serious intensity” if they are to overcome Tipperary in a mouth-watering All-Ireland quarter-final clash at Croke Park this Sunday (4pm).

Having failed miserably to stoke the passions when surrendering meekly to Kilkenny in the Leinster final earlier in the month, the Tribesmen have now an opportunity to atone for their poor display when they go head to head with the 2009 All-Ireland finalists. It’s a huge challenge.

“Tipperary comfortably disposed of Offaly [in the qualifiers] in Portlaoise last weekend (0-21 to 1-12), where it took us two games to get over Offaly, and we were at the pin of our collar to do so, so we have it all to do,” says McIntyre.

“Tipperary are generally regarded as the second best team in the country, so if we don’t bring serious intensity to Croke Park on Sunday it is going to be difficult to get a result.”

It will be intriguing to observe the manner in which Galway respond to their defeat to the All-Ireland champions. Since then, they have taken a week-long break, returning to their respective clubs for championship action, before regrouping for a training camp away at Johnstown House, Enfield last week.

“The training camp went well, but it is inside those four white lines that it has to count,” states the Galway boss. “Tipperary is our next big game and, for us, it presents us with an opportunity for redemption after the defeat to Kilkenny. It is an opportunity that we are determined to take.”

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel