Only a few count

THERE’S nothing like jumping to conclusions after the opening round of the Galway senior hurling championship which swung into action last weekend.

Already, we are feeling brave enough to predict that the county champions will come from one of the following – Turloughmore, Loughrea, Liam Mellows, Clarinbridge and St Thomas’ . . . despite their casualty-hit forces falling to a first-round loss.

Perhaps, an outside case could be made for Sarsfields, but only if Joseph Cooney returns from Down Under, while Gort can’t be entirely dismissed either even if they have forgotten how to win finals.

The rest are just making up numbers unless what we saw last weekend proves a grossly misleading interpretation of what they have to offer. Portumna are gone; Craughwell are going; Castlegar have too many rookies; Cappataggle have missed their chance; while Tommy Larkins lack the necessary team balance.

Newcomers Oranmore/Maree might go on a run after their successful return to senior ranks, but none of the others have a prayer of getting their hands on the Tom Callanan Cup in 2019. No sitting on the fence here.