Laois v Galway:THIS WILL BE a bit subdued for a historic occasion, as Galway become the first of the new counties co-opted into the Leinster championship to take the field. John McIntyre is no stranger to the province having managed Offaly and will focus mainly on performance unless something sensational happens.
His counterpart, Niall Rigney, has tried to build a side on young players, three of whom were involved in a creditable if doomed joust with Kilkenny in the provincial under-21 championship last week. He is hindered by the injuries to two important forwards, Zane Keenan and Tommy Fitzgerald – as well as the reluctance among some players to involve themselves in the county team.
Rigney maintains the league wasn’t a disappointment although the failure to figure in the push for promotion was disappointing. A year ago in his first match in charge, Laois were competitive for most of the game but got well beaten. He’ll hope to try to hang on a bit longer this time.
Galway’s shopping list includes giving a tight, disciplined display and not becoming sloppy as soon as the match flags as a contest. If they service the full forwards, Damien Hayes, Joe Canning and Niall Healy will take the scores.
With the Portumna players back in the rhythm of the county team McIntyre has a full deck apart from goalkeeper James Skehill, who picked up an injury.
Galway will have a nicely calibrated campaign after tomorrow. Depending on the draw it will be either an incremental step up and the likelihood of a Leinster final appearance or else an early-season, no-lose tilt at Kilkenny.
LAOIS: T Doran; JA Delaney, D Maher, B Stapleton; M Whelan, B Campion (captain), M McEvoy; J Young, J Walsh; D Peacock, W Hyland, O Holohan; J Purcell, J Rowney, E Jackman.
GALWAY: C Callanan; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, O Canning; F Moore, J Lee, A Cullinane; K Hynes, A Smith; A Callanan, K Hayes, C Donnellan; D Hayes, J Canning, N Healy.
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).
In the last episode: Since the introduction of the qualifiers the counties are no strangers to each other but it never ends well for Laois and last year they took a 20-point thrashing, 1-26 to 0-9.
You bet: There’s hardly much traffic on this with Laois 16 to 1, the draw 25 to 1 and Galway off the charts at 1 to 100. For those who fancy Laois to limit the damage, the price is 9 to 10 and the handicap +19. (Boylesports).
On your marks: James Young has been Laois’s main player in recent years although he missed last season with injury. At centrefield he is lined up against Galway debutant Kevin Hynes, captain of the under-21 All-Ireland winners in 2007, who is highly rated in the county and will get a decent test tomorrow.
Gaining ground: Portlaoise is a small hurling pitch, which may suit the home side, who lost this fixture two years ago by a comparatively modest 12 points.
Just the ticket: Stand and terrace are both €20.
Crystal gazing: A quick glance says no surprises here.
