AN air of unpredictability will hang over Pearse Stadium on Saturday (4:30pm) ahead of the opening round of the Leinster senior hurling championship and a match between two teams who are capable of anything – albeit more bad than good in Wexford’s case.

Galway are also coming into the championship with something to prove. Failing to reach the knock-out stages of the league – the legacy of home defeats to both Limerick and Cork – leaves question marks over the team’s current worth.

It’s Henry Shefflin’s second season in charge and his managerial set-up still enjoy the confidence of the local hurling public, especially after running All-Ireland champions Limerick so close in last year’s semi-final.

Galway never fielded what would be considered a near full-strength team in the recently concluded National League. The club commitments of the St Thomas’ contingent, together with injuries to the likes of goalkeeper Éanna Murphy, Cathal Mannion, Ronan Glennon, Daithí Burke and Fintan Burke saw to that.

It gave the management ample scope to experiment, but the results were mixed. Loughrea’s Martin McManus had an impressive outing against Cork, while there have been flashes of excellence from Kevin Cooney. Sean Linnane had some good moments around midfield too, but will any of these players make the cut for Wexford’s visit?

At least, Galway concluded their Division One campaign in some style, recovering well from a bad start to shoot down Clare in Ennis. The return of Daithí Burke, Conor Cooney’s five points from play, and a Conor Whelan goal saw the Tribesmen home on a 1-24 to 0-22 scoreline.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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