Tribe will pay ‘big time’

“Prior to the (drawn) match, I would have said that Galway had a cracking chance. They had beaten Kilkenny in the Leinster final and Kilkenny had been poor against Limerick, especially in the first-half.

“They have been improving though, which is Kilkenny’s way, to be peaking for the All-Ireland final. But now, Galway have gone to water and haven’t drank it and I think all the momentum is with Kilkenny.

“They give a team one chance at it and if they don’t take it, they’re going to pay. I think Galway are going to pay, big time. They played well the last day but weren’t able to finish it off. Kilkenny played poorly and still drew. In my book, I would say that any increase in Kilkenny’s performance is going to tip the balance in their favour. That, plus the experience of the players.

“Speaking to the players during the week, they know they didn’t play well at all and still they’re there with a fighting chance again. If they increase their performance by 10-15%, no-one will stay with them. You don’t give Kilkenny a second chance.

“They have the potential now to burn off Galway and burn them off quickly.

“Henry (Shefflin) had a great game the last day. The rule of thumb should be that he might be quiet this game but other players have to step up to the plate. Eoin Larkin, Richie Power, Aidan Fogarty and Mick Fennelly have to perform. From 8-15, only Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid really performed the last day. At midfield, we were bet out of it. The loss of Michael Rice is massive for Kilkenny so Michael Fennelly has to step up and give a platform to the forwards that wasn’t there the last day. He’s a hurler of the year so I’d expect him to do it.”