Newcomers to go on trial for hurlers against Offaly

IT will be a very different Galway senior hurling team that takes the field for their season opener against Offaly in the Walsh Cup quarter-finals in Tullamore on Sunday (2pm).

As always at this time of year, inter-county managers find themselves planning without their colleges’ players but Galway boss Anthony Cunningham has the additional headache of being shorn of his club-tied Portumna contingent and key players through injury.

It has left him turning to a host of newcomers and among those who could possibly feature for the Tribesmen against Brian Whelehan’s Offaly are Ronan Burke (Turloughmore), Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh/Fohenagh) and Jason Flynn (Tommy Larkins).

Sunday may also be an opportunity for panellists Darragh Burke (St. Thomas’), Padraig Breheny (Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry) and Gort duo Aidan Harte – who was one of Galway’s more consistent performers in 2013 – and Richie Cummins to issue a statement of intent for the year ahead.

Going to press Conor Cooney (St. Thomas’) and Niall Burke (Oranmore/Maree) had both been ruled “doubtful” by the manager while David Burke (St. Thomas’), Cyril Donnellan (Padraig Pearses) and Iarla Tannian (Ardrahan) are all on the long-term injury list.

With Portumna’s Joe Canning, Damien Hayes and Andy Smith club-tied, it means Niall Healy (Craughwell) could potentially be the only Galway forward with big-game senior experience lining out in the offensive sextet on Sunday.

“We have a big panel but because of colleges, club (All-Ireland series) and injuries, we have only about 24 available. That, though, is the nature of it this time of year,” says Cunningham.

“We have trained very hard though – no harder or easier, I suppose, than other counties – and it is a big, big chance for players who want to make a breakthrough – a big chance – so they have to go and show they are capable of delivering a performance.”

While Cunningham would favour a good run in the Walsh Cup, with Galway also spearheading the inter-provincial side and also in league action, it means the Tribesmen have a heavy schedule of games to contend with over the coming months.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.