Preview

A preview of the Kilkenny v Galway match

Kilkenny v Galway

Saturday, Croke Park, 4.0

On TV: RTÉ 2

The first reference to this game will always be the tragic circumstances that lead to the week's postponement, and the death of Vanessa McGarry, wife of long-serving Kilkenny goalkeeper James McGarry, will always keep the result in perspective.

But what a massive game it is for both countries - the season-definer for Galway, and easily the biggest test so far for Kilkenny.

Galway manager Ger Loughnane has added to the hype by talking up Kilkenny's physical tactics. He knows his team will have to produce their best or else it's season over. Their defeat to Clare in the qualifiers was inexplicable.

With Kilkenny you always know exactly what you're going to get - 70 minutes of ruthless, tireless, and spirited hurling. Derek Lyng and Aidan Fogarty return to the team after injury.

Two of their previous four meetings were ended early on such was Kilkenny's firepower. Galway can look to their 2005 coup for encouragement. They still have the players - Eugene Cloonan, Damien Hayes, and Richie Murray - to hurt Kilkenny. But can they match their intensity? The answer still seems no.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, J Tyrrell; T Walsh, B Hogan, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, J Fitzpatrick; E Brennan, H Shefflin (capt), E Larkin; W O'Dwyer, M Comerford, A Fogarty.

GALWAY: TBA.

- Ian O'Riordan