Leinster SHC quarter-final
Dublin v Galway Croke Park, Sunday, 2.0 RTÉ 2
Two teams with competing fault-lines measure up very early in the season in the GAA Leinster hurling quarter-finals. The fact that Dublin and Galway have between them two of the last three provincial titles is overshadowed by an underwhelming interim for both.
On a form-line through last year’s championship Dublin fared far worse against the eventual All-Ireland finalists than Galway did although the latter, having rattled both Kilkenny and Tipperary, fell away harmlessly in the end.
Taking league into account Dublin have showed more. Under the new management of Ger Cunningham they should at least have been in the final. That "should have" though is one of the worries for the team.
The 2013 Leinster champions gave two exceptional displays in Nowlan Park during the campaign, beating Kilkenny and losing to Cork, but they finished both matches poorly – disastrously in the semi-final.
Shaken up
Nerves are unlikely to be an issue though as Dublin’s record against Galway is good, having won both their Leinster championship matches in the past four years.
Under Cunningham Dublin's selection has been shaken up. Liam Rushe's switch into the forwards has yet to be proved a net gain but Chris Crummey has been a success in the half backs and Mark Schutte's form in the full forwards excellent.
Dublin's forwards look more menacing with the physical combativeness of Rushe and Ryan O'Dwyer and the mobility and striking of Danny Sutcliffe combining in a useful half-forward line.
Galway are missing Conor Cooney and Daithi Burke but Cyril Donnellan has been going well on his comeback and Joe Canning remains with his massive capabilities.
In the previous championship matches between these teams Galway didn’t play well. Are they ready to do so this weekend? Maybe but the evidence points to Dublin.
Last meeting: 2012 Leinster final, Croke Park, Dublin 2-25, Galway 2-13.
Odds: Dublin 5/6, Galway 5/4 and 9/1 the draw.
Injuries: Dublin are missing Niall McMorrow who has an injury to his thumb tendon and will be out for approximately a month. Galway's Conor Cooney is still out after a flare-up of his foot injury this month and unlikely to return this side of the Leinster final and Daithi Burke also misses out.
Suspensions: None.
Just the ticket: Hogan Stand €25 and Hill 16 €15 (No concessions). Davin and Cusack Stands €25 (concessions available for students, senior citizens and families).
Verdict: Dublin.
DUBLIN: Alan Nolan; Cian O'Callaghan, Peter Kelly, Paul Schutte; Shane Durkin, Chris Crummey, Conal Keaney; John McCaffrey, Simon Lambert; Ryan O'Dwyer, Liam Rushe, Danny Sutcliffe; David O'Callaghan, David Treacy, Mark Schutte.
GALWAY: Colm Callanan; Johnny Coen, John Hanbury, Pádraig Mannion; David Collins, Iarla Tannian, Gearóid McInerney; Joseph Cooney, Aidan Harte; Andrew Smith, Cyril Donnellan, Jonathan Glynn; Cathal Mannion, Joe Canning, Jason Flynn.
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).
