Confident Galway playing too well to stall now

TOMORROW’S SECOND match in Thurles is down as a certainty for Galway and, even though they should win, Waterford will relish being dismissed before matters get underway. Galway’s record against Waterford is bad and there were periods against Clare, in particular, and early on against Cork when their tactical approach and continued waste of possession made them look unconvincing.

I’m certain the Galway management noticed and endeavoured to correct these problems between matches but free-for-all shooting was evident again in the first-half against Cork.

That all changed after a few choice words at half time and the arrival of “Chunky” Hayes. Joe Canning moving back to his most dangerous position of full forward also made the required impact. I’m still not sure why he was in the corner or out the field.

Still, Galway look to be onto something this season. There is an enthusiasm and a building confidence about them. The physicality of their forward line, with Canning, Andrew Smith and Cyril Donnellan ferociously challenging defenders is impressive and ultimately broke Cork’s resistance.

The danger of the qualifiers is highlighted by the Galway’s loss of top level defenders, dropping one per game. First it was their best wing back, Adrian Cullinane, and then first choice fullback Shane Kavanagh. David Collins and Kieran O’Donovan were already gone so they are dropping down the ranks now in search of capable players.

Portumna fullback Eugene McEntee can do a job for them. He kept John Mullane quiet in the All-Ireland club final so the experience is there. Also, adding another Portumna man to the mix can be viewed in a positive light.

A third week of games might mean heavy legs but hurlers want to be playing. It makes it easier to manage as you don’t need to be innovative in interim training. It is just about recovery and preparation.

Galway may not be a cast iron certainty but looking at Waterford there are too many potential weaknesses. Disjointed performances against Limerick and a disorganised recovery mission against Tipperary have made them far from convincing.

They are over-dependant on Mullane, who, to be fair, is in the form of his life and worth the price into Thurles alone.

Against Tipp the late resistance came as much from Declan Prendergast and “Brick” Walsh abandoning defensive duties to lead the charge up field.

That particular period, when they were reeling Tipperary in, is more of a concern for Tipp than a positive for Waterford. The image of Eoin Kelly going back to the half-back line to lob frees into the area he should be prowling in sticks in the mind.

Still, Waterford still have a lot of talent and can produce extraordinary moments on any given day but the those unpredictable days are becoming less frequent. I haven’t seen them at their very best since 2007 despite making the All-Ireland final last September.

Mullane and Stephen Molumphy aside, the midfield and forward lines have not performed. There was a clear spot for Dan Shanahan to replace Jack Kennedy but Shane Casey got the nod, his cameo in the Munster final merely confirming the Dan of 2007 is not evident at the moment.

Their consistency, coupled with physicality up front, makes Galway strong favourites. Organised chaos from Waterford aside, it is theirs to lose and they are playing too well to falter.

Dublin are the rising team in the country right now. They had a good league and it has proved an accurate barometer of championship form. They did a good job against Antrim and finally got over Wexford after so many near misses.

They set out to contain Kilkenny in the Leinster final, which was a logical and sensible approach. Anthony Daly set them up tactically to do that and achieved it with a bit to spare by employing John McCaffrey as an effective seventh defender.

But robbing Peter to pay Paul meant they were going to struggle with a two-man forward line. Dotsy O’Callaghan was never involved enough and bar a few half chances the breakthrough goal never looked liking coming.

That game plan was never going to yield a provincial title. Daly looked to avoid a hiding and maybe, just maybe, catch Kilkenny off guard. Martin Comerford’s goals ruined this theory.

What’s the difference between containing a Kilkenny side that’s meant to win well and beating a Limerick team when you are expected to? This is the mental conundrum for Dublin tomorrow. The dangerous full-forward line of O’Callaghan, Liam Rushe and David Treacy must deliver some goals.

Alan McCrabbe’s free-taking has become more important to Dublin than Canning’s contributions for Galway and such overreliance is becoming a concern. If we are talking about this on Monday then Limerick will probably be in the All-Ireland semi-final.

I saw Limerick against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh back in April and was impressed but they have staggered from one crisis to another in the championship. Poor against Waterford the first day, a little improved the next but then hard to gauge against Wexford because of the conditions. Although winning in Wexford Park cannot be dismissed. Then they were so poor against Laois defeat looked a possibility.

There is a chronic lack of goals and a spread of scoring power is not evident. This is due to poor form from the old reliables and a generally unsettled forward line.

This sounds completely illogical but they have a real chance of beating Dublin. Their psyche will better for the poor performance against Laois and, crucially, they will believe they can win. They have huge experience of big days in Thurles. That said, losing the Moran brothers will hurt them.

It is a toss up but I wouldn’t be surprised if Dublin slipped on this banana skin, especially if Limerick can up the ante one last time. Improved performances must come from the forwards, Andrew O’Shaughnessy in particular, while their half-back line and midfielders Séamus Hickey and Donal O’Grady, must all catch fire as well.

Brian Cody would be most content with Limerick and Galway progressing as that would mean Galway could tear into Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final, while his charges get to repeat the 2007 final. It would prove a major assistance in attaining the four in a row.