LEINSTER SHC SEMI-FINALS: Galway v Offaly:GALWAY'S BAR is raised after the spacious win over Wexford because although Offaly were blessed to get past Antrim.
Joe Dooley’s team are also in the happier position of being distant outsiders. They will be cheered by the extent to which Wexford stayed in the quarter-final until relatively late but there will be similar questions about them when Galway go up the gears.
There is a question mark over James Rigney’s fitness, although Derek Molloy is given a better chance of making the start. There may well be a change of goalkeeper, with James Dempsey, who came on for Brian Mullins at half-time against Antrim also playing in last week’s challenge against Cork.
Galway were off the pace the last day but with Colm Callanan in great form in goal, strength and pace in the half backs, good ball acquisition at centrefield and Joe Canning up front they would appear to have too much.
GALWAY: C Callanan; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, O Canning; D Barry, T Óg Regan, D Collins; G Farragher, D Burke; D Hayes, C Donnellan, A Callanan; A Harte, J Canning, I Tannian.
OFFALY: To be announced
Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)
In the last episode:Sixteen years ago they met in the All-Ireland semi-finals with Offaly winning decisively on the way to third MacCarthy Cup.
You bet: Galway 1 to 12, Offaly 15 to 2, 16 to 1 the draw (70 minutes).
On your marks:Shane Dooley's 1-11 kept Offaly afloat in the quarter-final against Antrim.
Gaining ground:Offaly's last appearance at Croke Park five years ago ended in a 31-point destruction against Kilkenny.
Just the ticket:As above
Crystal gazing:Galway easily.
