Champions Cork taking nothing for granted against untested Galway

CORK enter this afternoon’s All-Ireland IHC semi-final against Galway (3.30pm) having played two games, while the Connacht side are making their first appearance.

“That might suit us in one way,” said Cork coach John Keane, “but their senior result against Tipperary last Sunday is bound to put a spring in Galway’s step, and we’ll be taking nothing for granted against them in Thurles.

“If we were playing any other team we’d know what to expect but this is Galway’s first outing in the championship, so they are an unknown quantity as far as we are concerned.

“The U21 victory on Wednesday night was brilliant and the four lads we had on the team all did very well.

“We have no injuries going into the game and if we play as well as we did against Tipperary in the Munster final, I would be confident of victory,” he added.

Keane’s opposite number Kieran Rabbitte is concerned about his side’s lack of competitive match practice.

“We’ve had to depend on playing challenge games with club teams and the county U21 side but there is nothing like a competitive match to test your players,” said Rabbitte.

“It’s been three years since we last won this particular grade. Cork gave us an unmerciful hiding in the 2003 final and we’ll be hoping to try and make up for that.

“All credit to Cork, it’s a fair achievement to put back to back All-Ireland wins in this particular grade because you have to field a complete new team when you win. The fact that they are going for their third in a row gives you some idea of the depth of talent they have at their disposal.”