This weekend's clash between Galway and Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium marks the eleventh time that Galway have played Kilkenny since opting out of Connacht in favour of Leinster back in 2009.
However, this game is noticeably different in the build-up, with Galway being tipped as heavy favourites ahead of Kilkenny. Not a surprising assessment considering they're defending champions, and have got off to a great start their campaign with a 5-18 to 2-15 win when they traveled to Offaly two weeks ago.
While most are tipping the Tribesmen to take the win, there are some concerns over their defence. Galway man and former Dublin hurler Niall Corcoran as well as Offaly hurler Michael Verney joined Shane Stapleton on OTB's Hurling Show today, and Corcoran tipped the reigning champs to get over the line, but voiced some concerns about the lack of defensive depth on their bench.
"It's their first time they've a home Championship game in Pearse Stadium. I think that's going to be a massive, massive occasion, having a Leinster Championship game in your backyard".
"I think they're a bit like the Kilkenny of old, any of their forwards can play in any position, it doesn't really matter. You get the ball into them anyway you want and they can win it and take it on. I'd have a concern defensively, if any of their defenders got injured who could go in there? I think they're light on the bench as regards to defenders. Greg Lally was beside me in the stands when I saw them play Offaly, obviously maybe he has an injury or something, but for example against Wexford Aidan Harte, who's a fine player, maybe got exposed under the high ball. If that happens again what are their options?"
"If someone like Daithi Burke gets injured, for me he's a crucial player, a man in the square, I don't know what they might do. Is it Gearoid McInerney going back to no.3, how comfortable is he there? But that'd be my only concern because I think they're really strong across the pitch".
Michael Verney also referenced the danger of the high-ball and the potential lack of depth at the back, and noted that as champions their weaknesses will have been studied more than any other county's this season.
"I think they'll win, I think it'll only be a couple of points, but I would share the same concern as Niall. Aidan Harte was kind of exposed against Wexford in the league quarter-final under the high ball, I think Jack O'Connor caught four-in-a-row of him, so teams will pick up on that and you have to remember as well, being the champions they will be the most analsyed team in the country so teams will be looking to see where they can pick holes. As Niall said, if they pick up an injury in defence I think they're a bit light".
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