Galway to push on but Laois can make mark on home turf

Both teams have been saying very complimentary things about each other this week. First up was Cahir Healy, the former standout dual player: "We have not hurled a team like Galway all year," he noted. "I suppose it's a chance to test ourselves against some of the best hurlers in Ireland. But it's a huge step up."

Galway’s Joe Canning followed that with a warning of the challenge that awaits his team: “Laois have two championship matches won and have everyone they want hurling with them this year,” he said. “And they have a half-forward line as good as any. When you have Zane Keenan and Willie Hyland, they’re two forwards that would make most other teams.”

The last time these teams met in the championship, in 2009, Galway won 5-29 to 0-17 – 27 points. Galway will win again but the expectation is Laois will put up a far better fight, and that should keep it interesting.

There is the pressing question as well as to whether Galway can push on again from last year, or even retain their form: manager Anthony Cunningham admitted some tiredness from the 2012 campaign did spill over into the league.

Whether Cunningham has unearthed enough new players to sustain them through 2013 is open to question, although the perhaps increased impact of the St Thomas’ and All-Ireland club championship winners such as Conor Cooney and David Burke might make a difference.

Those are questions that will only be answered on another day: what is certain is Laois manager Séamus “Cheddar” Plunkett will have his team utterly motivated and primed for their game of the season, having restored some of the old pride in Laois hurling.

They already have Division One B hurling to look forward to next season, but it’s here on home turf they can leave their mark on the summer of 2013, and if that means pressing Galway all the way to the finish then that’s good enough for now.

Last meeting: The 2009 Leinster quarter-final, when Galway racked up 5-29 to Laois 0-17.
Match odds: Laois 14 to 1, Galway 1 to 50, and 33 to 1 the draw.
Injuries: Brian Campion and Neil Foyle were sidelined from Laois starting duty, and replaced from the last day by Darren Maher and John Brophy.
Suspensions: None.
Just the ticket: Adult Covered Stand: €25; Family Tickets Covered Stand Adults: €25; Children (U-16): €5.00; Family Ticket Terrace: Adults: €15; Children (U-16): €3; Students/Senior Citizens: will receive a refund of €10 on the stand and €5 on the terrace on production of valid ID
Laois: E Reilly; B Stapleton, D Maher, JA Delaney; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, G Burke; C Healy, J Walsh; S Maher, Z Keenan, T Fitzgerald; J Brophy, W Hyland, B Dunne.
Galway: TBC.
Referee: J Owens (Wexford).
Verdict: Galway.