The Galway senior hurlers will bid to ensure their place in the Leinster final this Sunday when they face Wexford in the last round robin fixture.
Galway were handed their first defeat in the Leinster championship against Dublin last weekend. It represented a missed opportunity for the Tribesmen who could have booked their place in the final with a game to spare.
Instead, Micheal Donohue's men delivered a frustrating performance. A total of 17 wides will have left Donohue bitterly disappointed. In saying that, Galway could have won if not for a late surge from the Dubs. This is a young team still learning their trade at the highest level, and they have shown so much positives in this campaign so far. It is encouraging that this team is capable of remaining in contests and pushing their opponents all the way on off days.
Dublin played with a relentlessness that eluded their footballing counterparts against Westmeath last weekend. Galway led by four points with twelve minutes remaining before Dublin rallied. Donal Burke pulled back a point and then a Hayes goal levelled it at 2-13 to 0-19. Ronan Hayes and Burke edged their side in front before Cathal Mannion cut the gap to a point with a free and then Colm Molloy tied it up. However, another long ball was taken superbly by Brian Hayes and he blasted to the net before Cian O'Sullivan sealed the win in the final play.
Disappointing, but not the end of the world for Galway. Wexford have just one win to their name this championship and the Tribesmen should have what is required to cement that shot at a first Bob O'Keefe Cup in eight years.
Throw-in is 2pm at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday.
