Unlike twelve months ago the final round of Division One is alive and well with every team bar Cork having something to play for. For Waterford to reach a league final they need to win this game on Sunday and also hope for Wexford to beat Tipperary and Cork to beat Dublin. For Galway the equation is simpler where a win in Walsh Park would guarantee a final spot against Kilkenny.
Galway hold a formidable league record against Sunday’s opponents. They are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the sides with Waterford’s last win arriving back in 2002. The Tribesmen hold no fear of travelling to Walsh Park either. On their last visit to the venue in 2004 they emerged 5-13 to 1-14 victors on a day that Eugene Cloonan fired 3-7. Overall in 29 meetings Galway are comfortably ahead by 20-9. In championship terms however the tables are turned completely with Waterford winning all nine of those games.
After the 4-23 to 1-14 slaughter in Salthill, John McIntyre will look for a response here. Tipperary exposed many frailties in defence but the old failing of inconsistent performances will have worried McIntyre the most in the last fortnight. That eighteen point collapse unravelled an encouraging league up to that point. High scoring wins were achieved early doors against Wexford and Offaly before a morale boosting comeback win against Kilkenny. The forwards also seemed to be coping well in the absence of Joe Canning with Iarla Tannian and Aoghnus Callanan taking up the responsibility. David Burke is also emerging as one of the best midfielders in the country beside top scorer Ger Farragher (0-44). A number of changes in selection can be expected after the wake up call of two weeks ago. Farragher and Andy Smyth are unlikely to be available but the return of high profile names will soften the blow. Joe Canning, Damien Hayes, Shane Kavanagh, Kevin Hynes and Aidan Harte are all in the frame for starting places. It will be interesting to see how Canning fits in to a forward unit that have hit 10-104 in the league so far.
Waterford’s campaign could be described a steady one with few highlights but few lowlights. Three wins over Wexford, Cork and Offaly have been achieved by no more than three points. One draw and two losses were also recorded with the heaviest of those by six points. Waterford are developing a way of competing well with top teams but not necessarily putting away teams that they are superior to. Although the prospects of a league final are slim Waterford will target this game to show that they are heading in the right direction. After their training camp in Reading last weekend, this game is viewed as another stepping stone towards championship. They will look to test themselves against what many regard as the closest challengers to Tipperary and Kilkenny.
John Mullane (honeymoon) and Richie Foley (hamstring injury) are likely to be marked absent on Sunday. Eoin Kelly is yet to make his first start of the year but with free takers Foley and Maurice Shanahan missing this could be his opportunity to do so. Liam Lawlor is back from injury and in contention for a trial at full back. Aiden Kearney and Declan Prendergast are also close to a return but this game may come too soon for them. The full forward line of Brian O’Sullivan, Shane Walsh and Gavin Crotty should get the vote of confidence after an encouraging showing against Offaly.
Fresh from the Tipperary experience, Galway could be seen as vulnerable here and a positive home start may seed some doubts in their mindset. The absence of Foley and Mullane will reduce Waterford’s scoring ability however with obvious replacements hard to identify. Galway will look to rally the troops and with a more reliable source of scores and the recall of some big names they should get the victory they need to advance to a league decider.
National Hurling League Division 1
Waterford v Galway
Throw in 2.30 at Walsh Park
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
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