Galway want to host Leinster championship

Leinster SHC quarter-final:

Galway joined the province in 2009 and have been forced to travel for all 13 provincial games played since.

Hurling board chairman Joe Byrne said “it would be absolutely fabulous” to see the likes of Kilkenny and Dublin travel west, but confirmed no formal discussions had taken place in striking up a home and away arrangement with other counties.

County board secretary John Hynes said the prospect of Leinster championship hurling in Galway could not be entertained until agreement was forthcoming from participating counties.

“Yes we have considered it but absolutely no discussions have taken place and we have not approached any other county,” Hynes told the Irish Examiner.

“When we joined Leinster, we knew all games would be played in Leinster. We are fully aware we are guests in the province. While it would be great to bring Leinster championship hurling to Galway, we know that can only happen if we have full agreement from other counties. We would have to sit down one-on-one with other counties and thrash out an agreement.”

Galway open their provincial campaign away to Laois on Sunday and selector Damian Curley said the camp is wary of being “caught cold”.

“Laois last year shoved it up to Galway and it probably upset Galway’s year, the fact they found it so difficult to break Laois down,” he continued.

“We don’t expect it to be any different this year. They are coming in off four competitive games. That has to be a factor. I know people are saying fatigue may be an issue for them, I don’t see it that way. I think any inter-county player, given the choice, would rather be playing matches than training. They are bound to have honed their skills over the last month and will be ready with all guns blazing.

“You do not want to get caught cold. They are up and running the last four weeks, whereas we are coming into our first outing. Our lads haven’t played together since the Kilkenny game, there is a gap and there is always that fear in the back of your mind that things aren’t going to kick into place. It is a potential banana skin.”