Inside Track: Galway must be on red alert for visit of Kilkenny
THEY tell us that emotion has little use in a dressing room anymore; that it's nearly all about the process these days. Well, try telling that to the Kilkenny hurlers as they embark on a redemptive trip west on Saturday.
After their humiliating 18-point defeat by Galway at Pearse Stadium early last month, don't try to persuade us that Kilkenny won't be emotionally on a war-footing for this weekend's Leinster championship opener.
The Cats may have captured the last six Leinster titles, but they are hurting and embarrassed over that crushing 0-31 to 0-17 defeat a few weeks ago. With team captain TJ Reid – even at 38 – back on duty, they will be a different beast in Salthill this time.
Team boss Derek Lyng is under pressure; the players are under pressure; supporters are on their backs; and despite Kilkenny dominating the province, they continue to fall short in the All-Ireland series. Furthermore, two key players, Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan, are on their travels.
But it's not difficult to imagine that the Kilkenny players will be like savages on Saturday in an attempt to redeem their reputations. Lyng is bound to touch a nerve in his pre-match urgings. 'Look what Galway did to us last month; they made a show of us'.
The Kilkenny boss will also surely tap into their damaged pride. He will remind them that they surrendered in Salthill; that they let down the black and amber jersey. All things which are traditionally an anathema to a Kilkenny hurler.
“Feck the process,” he will warn them. “We have to tear into Galway like maniacs; don't give them a moment's peace and aggressively hunt in packs.” This background makes Saturday's clash a dangerous one for Galway.
Look what Galway did to us last month; they made a show of us
At least, the hosts should be under no illusions about what level of intensity Kilkenny will bring but, unfortunately, those of us outside the camp have little knowledge of which injured players will be recovered in time for Saturday.
This omerta is virtually par for the course for inter-county set-ups. Players are reminded not to give away any 'state secrets' to even their parents. It’s not just a Galway thing, but we don't know if the likes of Rory Burke, Gavin Lee, John Fleming or Daithí Burke are available for selection.
Leaving all that aside, it has been a positive season for Galway so far. Their recent second-half effort against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds was particularly encouraging and newcomers, notably Aaron Niland, are showing no fear at this level.
Micheál Donoghue and his management are undoubtedly on the right road after a challenging 2025, and they are favourites to beat the Cats on Sunday; expectations are raised among supporters and, frankly Kilkenny look there for the taking.
Yet, Galway's recent summer poor record against Kilkenny ensures no one will be taking victory for granted. They must be braced for what Kilkenny will throw at them and though the provincial champions will be revved-up to the last, sometimes the outcome is simply down to which team possesses the better hurlers. And those are the ones in the maroon jerseys.
The Masters
IT took Rory McIlroy over a decade to win his fifth Major after reeling off four of golf's biggest tournament in relatively quick time after turning professional. His long-awaited Masters' triumph 12 months ago after a play-off with Justin Rose was a huge monkey off his back and saw him join an elite group to win all four Majors.
After 36 holes of this year's event, there appeared little chance of a repeat of last year's drama-laden finale. McIlroy had spreadeagled the field with a wonderful second round of 65, which included six birdies over the last seven holes.
No golfer in the history of the tournament was ever that far ahead after two rounds, but McIlroy's game was to falter to such an extent on Saturday that his lead was wiped out after just 11 holes and, from there to the finish, he mixed the good with the bad.
McIlroy finished level par for his closing 36 holes and early on in the closing round after dropping three shots between the fourth and sixth, he found himself three behind Rose, who was knocking in putts from all over the place.
But all those great players trailing in his wake after two rounds had to play glorious golf to get back into contention and there was always the chance that McIlroy would rediscover his mojo at some point over the closing 12 holes. That he did with four timely birdies before a non-fatal bogey at the last. He really is the greatest golfer of the modern era.
Unfortunately, after his terrific exploits in the third round, including a magnificent hole-in-one on the sixth, the final 18 holes saw Shane Lowrey slump to a disastrous 80 after being bang in contention for Masters glory when standing over his 55th tee shot at Augusta.
Mixed Luck
THOUGH the Galway camogie team narrowly overcame a tough challenge from Waterford to regain the league title on Sunday, the long wait for Division 1 glory continues for the ladies’ footballers. Appearing in their eighth decider, the Tribeswomen were again left licking their wounds.
For long periods of Saturday's showdown against Cork at the Gaelic Grounds, it appeared that Galway were in pole position to break new ground, especially when they led by 0-8 to 0-2 early in the second-half.
But spurned goal chances in the opening 30 minutes would come back to haunt them, although Cork's second goal late on from Rachael O'Regan's fisted effort should not had stood as the ball clearly crossed the line before the intervention of Chellene Trill. It's another tough defeat for Galway, but they are still a serious team with genuine hopes of going one step further in the championship