Hoping this year will be finally different

There are few more traumatic championship records in recent years than that of Galway's under-21 hurlers. Imagine losing the last four All-Ireland finals in succession, and an idea of their infliction starts to unfold.

Twice in succession they fell to Cork, followed by Kilkenny in 1999 and then Limerick last year, a game that hinged solely on Mark Keane's defining score.

For a county that twice won the title earlier in the decade, the sorrow couldn't have been more drowning.

Tomorrow, in Ennis, Galway begin their short but daunting task of returning once again to the All-Ireland final. Standing in the way is Limerick, still on course to defend their title after a ravaging campaign in Munster.

Even if Galway manage to handle the champions, they are likely to face another iron challenge in the final, the assumption being that Leinster champion's Wexford will get past Antrim in the other semi-final at Parnell Park. No surprise then that team manager Brendan Lynskey is under no illusions of the massive task in store.

"I watched Limerick beat Tipperary and there's no doubt that they are a fine hurling side," says Lynskey, a veteran of Galway's All-Ireland wins in 1987 and 1988 and now in his second year in charge of the under-21's.

"Any team that also beats such a strong team like Cork have put themselves in a great position. So Limerick would have to be favourites for this."

Limerick's route to the semi-final has indeed been impressive. After beating a Cork side that many reckoned would be the loudest noise in this year's championship, they slipped past Tipperary with similar fireworks in the Munster final. Both games had only a point separating the sides but Limerick's spirit appeared indomitable.

Galway, in contrast, will make their usual entrance from the cold. For the moment that is the chief concern for Lynskey. "Our preparations have gone as smoothly as possible, but, of course, this will be our first competitive game.

"We've also had six of our players tied up with the senior team and another player with the minors and, of course, there's nothing you can do about that, and we'd also have no worries about their fitness.

"But you can't get the real feel of a team until you get them in a competitive situation. We just haven't got that yet and it was the same with the seniors before last Sunday.

"Of course, we're all experts now on how they played against Kilkenny but before that game nobody was saying much about their form."

Lynskey does have a highly experienced panel to play with. Two members of the senior team, Derek Hardiman and Richie Murray, along with other panel members Diarmuid Cloonan, John Culkin and Damien Hayes, will line out tomorrow. Both Cloonan, the younger brother of Eugene, and Culkin also have minor winning experience to their name.

And while Limerick may be without some of the high-profile names of last year, including Brian Begley, there is also a range of experience among the Munster champions that ensures Galway will have to be at their best.

"They are without some big names from last year but we are without the likes of David Tierney. They actually have more players back from last year than we do, but we are happy with the panel we've got now and know the task that we face.

"It's a matter of each player applying themselves now because we do have a good bit of work done at this stage. I know they will do themselves justice anyway because they are all fine hurlers, and all very experienced."

The outcome of last weekend's senior semi-final has put Galway hurling back in the spotlight. Yet, while the county has been quick to regain its confidence about its hurling future, Lynskey is also aware of the dangers.

"Of course, it is inspiring for the players but it also creates some pressure, and the talk now is of Galway getting into three All-Ireland finals. It does put more a little more expectancy on the side but at least we are sure of getting good support in Ennis."

GALWAY (under-21 hurling v Limerick): K Callanan; B O'Mahony, D Cloonan, J Culkin; D Hardiman, C Dervan, M J Quinn; S Donoghue, F Moore; R Murray, G Keary, D Hayes; D Donoghue, D Forde, K Brady.

WEXFORD (under-21 hurling v Antrim): M White; D O'Connor, N Maguire, R Kirwan; R Mallon, B Magee, T Kelly; D Stamp, G Coleman; P Carley, N Lambert, M Jacob; B Lambert, D Lyng, R Barry.