Galway can expect Kilkenny backlash in Leinster Hurling Championship

“Everyone has their own opinions. Andy is a character alright, there was nothing personal. He is a passionate Kilkenny fan and, look, he is right to come across whatever way he wants. We don’t have to use that … it’s his own opinion,” was his reply.

It was what followed that might be more likely send a chill down the spine of Galway supporters. “It wasn't good enough on the day. Look, we've Galway now in a week’s time and we'll see what the story is then. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Kilkenny shows up in Salthill.”

In print, it’s ominous, but in person, the seriousness with which it was delivered was unmistakable. Of course, if all that it took to win big games in the provincial and All-Ireland series was sufficient motivation, then Leitrim or Sligo could turn around and win the Liam MacCarthy Cup on any given year.

It doesn’t work that way, because raw hurling ability is and always will be the primary concern, and it’s in that sector where there are a huge amount of questions that need answering with regard to this Kilkenny team.

Injuries have played a part, as with all sides. Tommy Walsh and Adrian Mullen are still reportedly some way from a return, which means that Kilkenny’s forward line has gone out this year with only Cody and Martin Keoghan that could safely be considered to be reliable starters, albeit TJ Reid showed enough in the final round against Tipperary to prove that he is still very much a factor in this team and a player that will have to be treated with the utmost caution, regardless of his advancing years.

Cian Kenny and Jordan Molloy is certainly as good a midfield pairing as there is out there while a half-back line that will most likely be some combination of Darragh Corcoran, Paddy Deegan, David Blanchfield and Richie Reid is not going to be found wanting either.

The Huw Lawlor-sized hole in the full-back line has yet to be plugged, and at the time of writing, it’s still not 100% certain whether Aidan Tallis or Eoin Murphy will be in between the posts. Neither man would be a weak link or anything like it as the last line of defence, but just for the uncertainty around puckouts alone, it’s less than optimal.

Nonetheless, muscle memory and even just the scars of this time 12 months ago will mean that the mantle of favouritism won’t rest easily on Galway shoulders. It can’t really count as an ambush when every supporter from Ballinasloe to Ballyconneely feels it coming, and yet for a player pool that has a disproportionate number of likely starters that have had a single-digit number of championship appearances, it’s still very difficult to really get a feel for what is coming down the tracks this Saturday.

Given the makeshift nature of the Kilkenny full-back line, the return to fitness and form of Conor Whelan offers a crucial element of balance to the freshness and exuberance of Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte. The U-20 duo got their chance to shine at the start of the league and did what every management team would want, in that they just didn’t relinquish their grip on the jersey at any stage.

Likewise at the other end of the field, where Darren Morrissey has taken on the captain’s armband and his consistency and leadership is more important than ever alongside Joshua Ryan and Cillian Trayers, two more good news stories from the recent league campaign.

If this develops into a hurling match to just ascertain who has the best players, then Galway should be able to match Kilkenny’s best seven or eight starters, and win the game on the back of the second half of names that go onto the team sheet.

The biggest concern however is that for Kilkenny, this isn’t a Leinster championship first round tie, it’s a chance for redemption, atonement, and more.

Eoin Cody’s steely stare was the first warning sign, and the result on Saturday will most likely be determined by how well Galway can brace themselves for that initial impact.