Two years ago Galway's hurlers came close to winning the All Ireland and secured a Leinster crown.
But these days, things are not so rosy and the Tribesmen were lucky to emerge from a match against Laois with victory - for the second year in a row.
At club level, Galway clubs have been dominant at club level with Portumna the current holders. Yet this is not translating itself to the inter-county scene.
To get at the heart of the issue, we spoke to Daithi Regan and former Galway manager Conor Hayes.
"Galway club hurling is probably the best in the country. It's an incredibly competitive championship. But I wouldn't agree that Galway have flattered to deceive again. You'd say that at the end of the year. Galway got a win and I think it would be churlish not to recognise Laois' performance," said Daithi, who added: "I still wouldn't rule Galway out!"
He said that Galway have a habit of giving Kilkenny a tough game with the two sides likely to come face to face soon.
But he saw naivety from a Galway perspective against Laois.
Hayes agreed that the Tribesmen failed to react to Laois' tactics.
"I just wonder about Galway and their whole approach to the Championship, even going back to my own time. Galway have it imbued in their DNA that you really don't play Championship hurling until August," said Hayes.
Listen to the full chat via the podcast.
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