Minor Preview: Puzzling though it may have been to the young minds of his squad, Galway manager Mattie Murphy requested immediate improvement in the wake of a comprehensive first round 21 points dismissal of Antrim at the outset of the All-Ireland minor Hurling series in July.
Murphy had far more formidable tests ahead in mind and against Tipperary in the semi-final the manager's hopes for what is perhaps one of the most talented minor sides to have left the county in years were suitably realised.
Now, the Connacht representatives are aiming to upset Kilkenny's bid to win a second successive title in over a decade in what seems a well balanced under-18 curtain-raiser at Croke Park tomorrow.
Kilkenny's latest provincial success left little doubt about the merits of the team in all departments.
They saw off the challenges of Dublin and then Offaly in the final with plenty to spare. The county's hurling dynasty is unmistakeably present with defenders Donnchadh Cody, David Prendergast and attacking leader Richie Power carrying on great family hurling traditions.
Power, the team captain, is a typical example of a skipper who leads by example. In his last two outings alone the Carrickshock youth has compiled a total of 17 points.
The supply from a star studded defence has never been less than generous in the current campaign thanks to the purposeful long striking talents of full back John Tennyson, Cody and Prendergast.
Slight injury worries however ordain that the versatile AN Other figures at full back and right-wing forward, positions filled in the 0-15 to 2-8 semi-final dismissal of Cork by Tennyson and David McCormack.
Kilkenny manager, Br Damien Brennan, and his selector colleagues have an abundance of talent at the ready, the biggest problem for them is often to decide on the best positions for star players.
The possible absence of Tennyson must be redressed with special care in this instance given the penetrative powers of the Galway front line of Donal Reilly, Aongus Callanan and Niall Healy.
This trio played havoc with a good Tipperary back line in the semi-final and cleaned up with and aggregate tally of 2-14 of the 2-19 total. Reilly hit the two goals, Callanan knocked over four points while team captain Healy bagged 10 points (six frees).
The Galway selectors introduced four substitutes in that hard earned win over Tipperary, one of them, wing back Dermot Ryan, retains his place with Niall Coleman, unavailable for the semi-final, coming in at left-wing forward in place of Martin Nestor. Michael Donnellan and Nestor, of the team that started the semi-final, now figure among the substitutes.
The issue is one that is very much in the balance with a great deal depending on how the Kilkenny defence deal with Galway's front line. The signs are though that Cody, Prendergast and company in the Leinster champions rearguard can make it happen.
KILKENNY: C Grant; J Dalton, AN Other, S Cadogen; D Cody, D Prendergast, P O'Donovan; P Hartley, M Fennelly, AN other; R Power, A Healy; M Nolan, J Fitzpatrick, E Guinan.
GALWAY: A Ryan; T Linnane, G Mahon, D Kennedy; D Ryan, J Lee, R Whyte; C Burke, D Kelly; N Callanan, D Garvey, N Coleman; D Reilly, A Callanan, N Healy.
Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).
