Galway hurlers look to extend perfect start in Leinster Championship
Galway can book their place in the Leinster Hurling final on Saturday when a win or a draw against Dublin in Pearse Stadium (4.30pm) will be enough to guarantee their spot in the decider.
Micheal Donoghue will be hoping his side can take care of business this weekend before their trip to Wexford on Sunday, May 24.
A win this weekend would give Galway the opportunity to hand more players game time with qualification already secured heading into the final round of the Leinster SHC.
Saturday will provide a stern test for the Tribesmen. Dublin remain unbeaten in this year’s championship, having drawn with Offaly and recorded victories over Kildare and Wexford.
Niall Ó Ceallacháin is in his second year in charge of the Dubs. Last year, Dublin enjoyed an impressive campaign, stunning Limerick in the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final before reaching the All-Ireland semi-final where they were defeated by Cork.
Galway maintained their 100% record in the Leinster SHC last weekend with a nine-point win over Kildare. After a comprehensive victory over Kilkenny in round one, Donoghue’s side have defeated Offaly and Kildare in the last two rounds, though elements of those performances have been patchy.
He will be hoping for a more consistent display this weekend against a displays whose last victory in Pearse Stadium came in 2024 when Donoghue was in charge of the Boys in Blue.
The Clarinbridge clubman opted to rest Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte last weekend, and both players are set for a hectic schedule this week, having lined-out for the Galway U-20s against Wexford yesterday (Wednesday) in the Leinster U20 semi-final.
“The schedule for the next couple of weeks is really tough on them. It’s just about managing that over the next few weeks and seeing how that unfolds,” added Donoghue.
Dublin have plenty of attacking threats that will require close attention this weekend, including Donal Burke, John Hetherton and Cian O’Sullivan, while the midfield battle involving Galway’s Tiernan Killeen and Cian Daniels against Brian Hayes and Conor Donohue could prove crucial.
The men in maroon and white also carry significant firepower in attack, particularly through the impressive form of Rory Burke, Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan. The reintroduction of Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte will also give Ó Ceallacháin plenty to think about ahead of the trip to Salthill.
The insight Donoghue, Francis Forde and Noel Larkin gained from previously working with Dublin gives Galway a strong understanding of this Dublin side.