WOUNDED CATS STILL A DANGER

Galway v Kilkenny

SEVEN points separated the sides in the qualifying series but Jeffrey Lynskey insists Galway are taking nothing for granted against Kilkenny.

Victory for the Tribe would be their third All-ireland title success at this grade in just four years.

And on the back of that result earlier this summer, the Westerners are favourites to add to their 11 All-ireland titles and secure their first back-to-back success since 2004-05.

Lynskey, however, is on high alert after Galway upset Cork in last year’s decider and he’s expecting a hot reception from Richie Mulrooney’s Cats.

“We played Kilkenny in the round robin but it’s like anything else, it’s a new game, it’s nil-nil,” he said. “We had a seven-point margin on them but they’ve, like ourselves, tweaked and improved since then. It’s Kilkenny in an All-ireland final, it’s a one-off game.

“Richie has been there like myself for a good while, he was there in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in three finals so he brings that experience with him. We have the utmost respect for the lads.”

Lynskey (above) acknowledges that his main mission is to develop young hurlers so they’re ready to make the jump to under-21 level and then on to senior hurling.

He namechecks Sean Loftus, Tom Monaghan and Jack Kyne as three players who were there when he started in the role and are now with the seniors as they seek more All-ireland success.

“They’re pushing on and making a stamp,” he said. “Did I see three All-irelands in four years?

Probably not, to be perfectly honest with you.

“But we work incredibly hard. As a group we’re back since January 4, this will be our 16th game regarding challenges and Championship. The lads have done 100-plus sessions.”

Lynskey is hoping the massive Galway support that will be there on the day to roar on the seniors will inspire his own charges.

“We’d feed off it,” he said. “You get a huge lift from the Galway crowd.”