Hayes: Our focus is on beating Cats

Galway stalwart Damien Hayes says he’s not concerned about Dublin as they focus on beating Kilkenny this weekend to avoid a relegation play-off and in turn qualify for a Division 1semi-final.

The 2011 league champions, who face a relegation play-off next month, can do the Tribesmen a huge favour by denying Waterford victory in Dungarvan on Sunday as it will ensure their Division 1A safety.

And yet the quirkiness of the league dictates that Galway are still in with a shout of qualifying for the semi-finals and will do so if they beat Kilkenny.

The optimist he is, that’s what the two-time All Star is focusing on.

"We’re going to Nowlan Park and we’re going to give it our best, that’s all we can do," said Hayes, who was on the Galway team that beat Kilkenny on their home patch in the league two years ago. "What more can you do?

"We’re off the back of a very disappointing result (to Waterford) and we’re looking for a win in the home of the All-Ireland champions.

"Everybody understands that and realise Kilkenny have to win it as well so both teams will be giving it their best. We’re not worried about Dublin. They would probably want to win a game as well but what they do is up to them."

Even though the prospect of a relegation play-off looms, the Portumna man says there is "no point" in rushing back his club-mate and star forward Joe Canning when he’s still sore after his shoulder operation.

But he acknowledges the threat of a drop to Division 1B next season.

"Yeah, there’s a possibility of it, but we just have to go and beat Kilkenny. All I can say is we’re going to try and do that. We were back in training last (Tuesday) night and the lads trained well."

Galway have taken heart by Kilkenny’s defeat to Cork last weekend, a team they defeated at the same Páirc Uí Chaoimh venue just seven days previous.

"It would give you a little bit of hope," acknowledged Hayes. "Cork played well, I heard, and they did it playing a nice brand of hurling."

Irrespective of where they find themselves going into this weekend, Hayes reports the league campaign as a successful one for Galway relative to the number of young players that were blooded.

"There are a lot of positives to be taken. It’s a new squad full of young and enthusiastic players and they’re getting lots of chances. We had 13 U21 players who played last Sunday, including the subs. In the Railway Cup final, we have 11 U21s lining out in the first-half. Basically, we’re giving lads a chance and using the league as a bit of a platform for them before the championship."