IT'S not a particularly palatable time of the year for hurling, but Galway manager Matt Murphy will be fairly relieved to see the League start on Sunday. Since nearly a month of intrigue was set aside last week with the ratification of his third selector, Murphy has been able to focus himself fully on the coming campaign.

He has no inclination to rehash the row - "we decided to leave it and start afresh," is his only comment - as Galway prepare for a League that is. as usual given their lack of provincial competition, more important to them than to most other counties.

"Not being in the League final seriously disrupts training because lads go back to the clubs and the county championship goes ahead. Training helps build morale and team spirit. Our first priority is Sunday because it will decide for both teams (Galway are playing Offaly) what happens for the remainder of the League."

The week has started poorly for Galway hurling with the defeat of Sarsfields by Sixmilebridge in the All-Ireland club championship semi-final. Murphy is philosophical about the impact.

"I wouldn't see it as damaging morale. Sarsfields have done so well on the higher stage for the past three or four years. Most clubs would find it difficult to replace a keeper, particularly one who's been there since 1983 or `84, and Padraig Kelly, who's been the outstanding hurler in the country over the last three years and a major influence in their run in this year's championship.

"The other thing is that they (Sarsfields) come from a pretty small rural area. They've no outsiders coming in and out. Practically every fella of an age is hurling. They've been great ambassadors for Galway hurling and nothing could take away from what they have achieved."

Last year's League ended in a dreadful afternoon against Waterford in the quarter-finals when Galway failed to score in the first half. By Murphy's admission. the team weren't ready for the match and it finished off a season during which the aim had been to try as many players as possible. That emphasis has changed this time around and the League selections have been more consistent.

The panel at the management's disposal is virtually full-strength. Sean Treacy, recovering from a groin strain, and Joe McGrath. a combination of injury and club ties, have been the main absentees. Tonight's selection for Sunday's match is doubtful only in respect of Joe Cooney's fitness. He received a hefty dunt in Sarsfields' match and medical clearance is awaited.

Even during the recent controversy, there were no murmurs of discontent from the players - a fact that weighed in Murphy's favour. His background as minor manager in 1994 has led to criticism that his style is a bit didactic - a notion that he firmly, if a little wearily, rejects.

"Most 17 or 18-year-olds are pretty set in their ways, you're not able to bully them around. Unless you can get a fella to do something by proving to him that it's the right option, you're wasting your time. Seventeen, 18 or 37 you can't do it. The psychology of the carrot is better than the stick.

"You need a platform to work with a fella, you have to keep lines of communication open. If players don't feel able to come back and talk to you, you won't last. There's no point in saying otherwise."

Theory turns to practice in four days and Murphy's happy with that: "I'm looking forward to getting on with it and testing the waters. We'll know by Sunday how far down the road we are."