One interesting aspect of this weekend is that it can show the positive side of losing. When a team loses a match, particularly a big match, it says something. Selectors have to change players around and it strengthens their hand to make those decisions. Management can't change a winning team that easily.

Since losing to Wexford, Kilkenny have been able to identify a number of problems right down the middle. Pat O'Neill has been uncomfortable at full back, as were John Power and D J Carey in the middle of the attack. They have been shifted around and the county has had the added benefit of the National League quarter-final against Cork last week to see how they worked.

Everywhere that they have changed the team for tomorrow's match with Galway, Kilkenny have strengthened it by bringing in big men, Liam Simpson at full back, moving Pat O'Neill to centre back, Canice Brennan at centre forward and Michael Phelan, who's strong and can break ball, at full forward. The team that played in the Leinster final was small and skilful and they found Wexford tough and skilful.

Still, Nicky Brennan will have realised that Kilkenny were in it for 55 to 60 minutes and that only in the end did Wexford pull away. Losing that match did more for Kilkenny than a win would have and the lessons of that day give them a far better chance against Galway. To me, the Galway team looks new and inexperienced. Each member of their half-forward line - Justin Campbell, Joe McGrath and Francis Forde - likes to run with the ball.

With doubts over whether Joe Cooney is fit enough for midfield, unless Galway dominate the half lines, this isn't a style of hurling they should be trying against Kilkenny who originated the possession game - neat stickwork, quick handpass and move into space.

Galway have their own history of that style, but those teams had big players who were very fast and hard to dispossess. I don't see those players in the current team and certainly not in the half backs. They have moved Cathal Moore back to centre back, but injuries have left the team short of physically-strong players. Joe Rabbitte, although he hasn't been playing well of late, Brendan Keogh and Michael Coleman are all missing and that would worry me greatly if I were in charge of Galway. Although Joe Cooney and Liam Burke are stronger that Larkin and Comerford, it still needs Cooney to perform at his best and Burke not to be as in-and-out if they are to get a supply of ball into the forwards.

Kilkenny's biggest problem in attack has been the subdued form of Carey. Being captain can sometimes have an effect on players. Some players are born captains: Eamonn Grimes was an example, he was the natural choice when I was playing with Limerick and seemed to thrive on the responsibility.

In the past, Galway under Cyril Farrell have played very well in their first major championship outings. Cyril has his own way of doing things and has previously harnessed the talent and the lack of practice matches into an all-or-nothing approach. The counties they faced had usually come through a very hard campaign and tended to take Galway for granted.

At the start of this season, Galway would have been favourites for this match - the combination of Farrell and all that talent - but now with the injuries, their confidence can't be as high.

Kilkenny have come through a tough campaign, rejigged their team and, in the league last week, got back their confidence. They're fully tuned into beating Galway and I believe they will. The other quarter-final, today at Clones, between Tipperary and Down, is difficult for Tipp. I remember managing Offaly against Down in 1995. You know in your heart that you should beat them, but you're also afraid of a shock. Win by too much and they're no good; win by too little and you're in trouble.

Like Kilkenny, Tipperary have had to look at their team after losing a provincial final and have been able to use a league quarter-final to do so. The changes have benefited the team. Liam McGrath will keep the ball moving at centre forward and John Leahy is restored to the wing.

Leahy needs to be closer to goal and the further away he is played, the more it suits the opposition. Tipperary's players now have the chance to show that they want to be part of the rest of the championship.

Down have problems of resources with only three senior clubs to choose from and will do well to keep down the margin of defeat. (In an interview with Sean Moran)