1. Galway look to build on League platform
GALWAY ROMPED TO a stunning 16-point Allianz League final victory over Tipperary last month.
It was a performance that marked the Tribesmen out as potential All-Ireland champions, a display laced with power, pace and a lethal scoring touch.
That win has fuelled expectations that the long wait for a first Liam MacCarthy Cup since 1988 could end in September.
Tipp’s defeat to Cork last Sunday has also shifted the betting and Galway are now 10/3 favourites to walk up the Hogan Stand steps as champions.
Their campaign begins against Dublin in Tullamore on Sunday, and a county expects.
Another clinical performance would leave the Tribesmen in a brilliant position ahead of a provincial semi-final with Offaly.
They’ve shown what they can do in the spring, but now it’s time for Galway to show their worth during the summer months.
2. Summer of reckoning for Dublin boss Cunningham
This is year three of Ger Cunningham’s Dublin project. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the former Cork coach and earlier this year, the team slumped into Division 1B of the Allianz League, losing a relegation play-off to Clare.
But there were some encouraging moments during the spring, most notably an early-season victory over Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn.
That was Dublin’s only win of the campaign, however, and not too much is expected of the Sky Blues in championship 2017.
That will suit them fine but they couldn’t have asked for a tougher start against a Galway team aiming to lay down an early championship marker.
When the sides met two years ago, Dublin could, and arguably should, have beaten Galway at Croke Park.
But when they replayed at this weekend’s venue, O’Connor Park in Tullamore, Galway blew Dublin away, with a lethal full-forward line registering 5-15 between them.
The bad news for Dublin is that their chief destroyers on that occasion – Joe Canning, Cathal Mannion and Jason Flynn – appeared to be hitting peak form towards the end of the recent League campaign.
Cunningham could badly do with a strong championship campaign – but he may have to chase victories through the back door.
3. Joe Canning conducting the Galway orchestra
Galway’s talisman is revelling in his ‘link man’ role in the number 11 shirt. For some time now, hurling fans have wondered if Canning is better suited close to goal, or further out the field as a creator.
Micheál Donoghue patiently waited for Canning to get fit again, after the Portumna forward suffered a shocking hamstring injury against Tipp in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final.
Now back to full fitness, and finding good form, Canning is the man who makes Galway tick up front, the puller of the strings, the conductor of an orchestra that produced a sweet symphony to blow Tipperary away in the League decider.
Canning, on full throttle, remains a hurling freak of nature and now appears more comfortable with the leadership role expected of him, and the burden of expectation that’s weighed heavily on his shoulders for so long.
Much of Galway’s best work against Dublin, and beyond, will have Canning heavily involved.
4. Dublin’s lack of experience
Dublin boss Ger Cunningham went down a bold route late last year, opting to dispense with the services of a number of experienced players, including former captain Johnny McCaffrey.
New players were blooded during the League and some of them showed signs that they’re up to the task.
The issue for Dublin is that they’re coming up against a seasoned Galway team containing players laced with big-game experience.
Many of these Galway players have played in Leinster and All-Ireland finals, and will feel confident that they’re peaking as a team and building up an unstoppable head of steam.
Dublin’s job is to ask the questions of Galway that Tipp failed to pose last month.
On a straight line of 2017 form, that seems an improbable ask, when you consider the 16-point gap that existed between Tipp and Dublin at Croke Park in February. The fact that Galway went on to hammer Tipp by the same margin at the conclusion of the League campaign doesn’t bode well for Dublin’s hopes.
There will be championship debutants in Dublin’s team and how they react will go a long way towards determining their fate.
5. Dublin’s defence needs to hold firm
Galway have marquee forwards capable of wreaking havoc but Dublin’s defence is one of their strong points.
They have one of the country’s finest full-backs in Eoghan O’Donnell, while captain Liam Rushe is holding down the centre-back position.
With youth and pace on their side, Dublin will feel quietly confident of at least breaking even in some of the key duels.
Rushe against Canning on the ’40 is one to relish but Dublin must also try and shut down the likes of Cathal Mannion, Conor Whelan and Jason Flynn.
What Galway have is a superb central spine now, with Daithi Burke and Gearoid McInerney anchoring the key defensive positions, while Johnny Coen and David Burke, tipped as a potential hurler of the year, dovetailing superbly at midfield.
With the aforementioned Canning pulling the strings at centre forward, Galway have that settled feel about them, but you couldn’t say that about Dublin.
Weighing everything up, it would be a massive surprise if Galway don’t win comfortably, and possibly by double-digits.
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