Galway’s attacking arsenal can prove decisive against Tipp

GALWAY manager Anthony Cunningham may be downplaying the fact that his charges face Tipperary in Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final in Croke Park rather that Semple Stadium – where they clashed in the qualifiers last year – but deep down it must make him feel a little more at ease.

When the sides met in front of a partisan Tipperary crowd in the qualifiers in Thurles last year, the Tribesmen were entering a GAA ground they had not only little joy in previously but they were also facing a home side who practically eat, drink and sleep hurling at the same venue.

This time round, things are different. Galway are coming off the back of a quarter-final victory – breaking the Semple Stadium hoodoo – while they also make what now has become a routine trip to Croke Park since their move into Leinster seven years ago.

“It makes no difference if you are in Thurles or Croke Park – they are fantastic pitches – but a Saturday evening down in Tipperary a week after the previous match was obviously tough. It was in front of their own crowd – their own supporters – and it was down on the pitch they train on every day.

“So, they do have an advantage. Dublin footballers might say the same as well. It is an advantage when it is a pitch you play on every day and you get to know and get used to. The dimensions of it are that bit bigger, there is no doubt, but it is a beautiful place to play.”

In this regard, the shoe will be on the other foot this Sunday. In years gone by, their automatic qualification for the All-Ireland semi-final provided what, sadly, was often just an annual pilgrimage to Croke Park. It’s different these days and, already this year, they have lined out three times at GAA headquarters.

“Yeah, and even with the Walsh Cup there, it was important for us to play the match in Dublin. Lads like that. The pitch is as good there in February as most pitches are now in the Summer. Everyone overlooks that at times. It is a fantastic stadium.”

At any rate, the Galway camp will travel to Croke Park in fine fettle. Although long term injury concern Conor Cooney is reportedly still a couple of weeks out from making his return, David Collins (hamstring) and David Burke (neck/shoulder) have both returned to full fitness. Captain Collins did not start the quarter-final against Cork, although he was introduced, and his return will cause a few selection headaches for management entering Sunday’s fixture.

As for Burke, he was forced to withdraw with an injury against the Leesiders but his hurling up to that point was sharp enough that it should merit his inclusion in the starting line-up again for the Tipp clash

Full preview in this week’s City Tribune.