From their dramatic Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny, Jackie Tyrrell can see a silver lining for Galway.
"I suppose one thing that kind of works for Galway is they're kind of used to getting beat in a Leinster final," the Kilkenny great told the RTÉ GAA podcast, "and I don't want it to come across as derogatory."
Tyrrell believes the major selection decision for Galway manager Henry Shefflin ahead of this weekend's All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary is where he plays Daithi Burke.
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This year, the five-time All-Star has lined out at centre-back for Galway, a little further from goal than his usual station, while Gearoid McInerney has played at fullback.
11 June 2023; Galway captain Daithí Burke in the parade before the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
"Gearoid McInerney hasn't really fully settled there," said the nine-time All-Ireland winner.
"Corner-back is like a revolving door with Jack Grealish in, TJ Brennan in, Darren Morrissey in - it's not a settled look like last year. Eanna Murphy seems a bit more jumpy in the goal.
"One thing we know with Tipperary - and I know it was against Offaly - they traditionally always get goals. With Jason Forde back in the set-up, they're more of a potent attack.
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"Henry has a lot of work to do, but I think he'll be starting with the back six. What that structure looks like, who picks up who and who fills the three and six jerseys. That's a big question Henry needs to answer.
If you at Galway, when they have Daithi Burke at three, normally most teams would put two in the full-forward line, they're relatively happy to push high up the field knowing that Daithi has the three position and he'll shut that down.
3 July 2022; Aaron Gillane of Limerick in action against Daithí Burke of Galway during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Limerick and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
"If Daithi Burke stays at six, I think they'll probably have to drop (Padraic) Mannion more in a covering role. If they play Daithi at three, it does allow them that freedom to go, 'We can push up on this Tipperary half-forward line. We can put the squeeze on them knowing that we have one of the best fullbacks in the country'.
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"That's the big conundrum for Henry - does he stick or twist? For me, I would probably stick with Daithi Burke at three and maybe look at Gearoid McInerney at centre-back or maybe even as wing-back and put Mannion in centre-back.
"What are [Galway] going to do with Jake Morris? It looks to me like they have one out-and-out marker in defence, and that's Padraic Mannion, and you can't afford to have him in the fullback line chasing Jake Morris. You need him at five influencing the game, picking up breaks, driving forward and setting up attacks. It's so important for Galway if they are to get a handle on this Tipp team."
Tyrrell added that he believes this is "D-Day for Galway hurling".
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