Galway claim Walsh Cup victory over Dublin at Croker

Bord na Móna Walsh Cup final: Galway 1-22 Dublin 1-20: Walsh Cup success served Kilkenny well in 2014 and Anthony Cunningham admitted it’s a template he wishes to follow with Galway this season.

The Cats laid down an early marker 12 months ago by beating Dublin at Croke Park in the pre-season decider, a result replicated by Galway on Saturday night.

It would be a bold prediction that Galway will claim Allianz League, Leinster and ultimately All-Ireland honours like Kilkenny went on to do last year. In fact, Galway may not have even claimed a second Walsh Cup title had Kilkenny not pulled out of the tournament.