In one of hurling's great rivalries, Galway are set to battle it out with Tipperary in the All-Ireland hurling quarter-final this Saturday after narrowly missing out on a semi-final place in the Leinster Final. However, Galway legend Joe Canning sounds fearful that his county will be defeated when they duel with their old rivals in Limerick on Saturday.
Galway could be - and probably should be - enjoying this weekend off and looking forward to an automatic semi-final in a week's time. However, their capitulation against Kilkenny in the Leinster final means Henry Shefflin faces one of the biggest challenges of his tenure.
With the two counties only separated by the Shannon, this battle is much deeper than a mere semi-final place, it's a rivalry deeply engrained in two proud hurling communities and the hurt of a loss for Galway will be felt in every corner of the county.
Henry Shefflin yet to have a defining result
The Leinster final saw the best and worst of Galway. They dug themselves a big hole, then battled back bravely thanks to the inspirational Conor Whelan, only to lose the match in heartbreaking fashion, when a hurley-less Padraic Mannion eventually decided to dispose of the ball into the path of Cillian Buckley.
GOAL KILKENNY - Cillian Buckley with the last, dramatic act of the game snatches victory for Kilkenny in the Leinster final. The Cats win 4-21 to 2-26
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While Galway had commendable performances last year, especially against Limerick in the semi-final, there was no defining result. That was excused with Shefflin still new to the setup. However, should Galway lose to old foes Tipperary and go yet another season without any progress, it's hard to see Galway fans being as forgiving.
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Joe Canning says it's about delivering big results now
Former Galway star Joe Canning knows all about fierce meetings with Tipperary, with three of his All-Ireland semi-finals coming down to the wire against the Premier County. Writing in his Irish Times column, Canning said it's time for Shefflin to deliver.
Galway, though, are under a different kind of pressure. The general perception around the place is that they should have closed out the Leinster final. Our overall record in the Leinster championship for the last few years hasn’t been good enough... allowing Kilkenny to win four titles in a row is a reflection on Galway’s performances too, whether we like it or not.
Henry Shefflin is well into his second year as manager now which means there is more pressure to deliver. He has had plenty of time to work out his best team and to settle on a style of play, and at this stage it’s about delivering results in big matches.
If Galway were to lose tomorrow, anything could happen.
Despite the pressure Canning thinks is on Shefflin, he remains unconvinced that Galway have what it takes to beat Tipperary.
From a Galway point of view, I'm really worried about this game.
In my heart I'm hoping the can pull it off, but my head is saying something different.
Galway take on Tipperary in the All-Ireland quarter-finals this Saturday at 18:15 in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick. Whether they have what it takes to beat a battle-hardened Tipperary side only time will tell.
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