4.00 Laois v Galway

NIALL HEALY’S season-ending cruciate knee injury was just the news that Galway manager Anthony Cunningham (right) didn’t want to hear but his side don’t lack options up front. With Laois operating a well-drilled defensive system, this mightn’t be pretty at times but Galway can learn the lessons from the corresponding fixture last year and get the job done. VERDICT: Galway Galway: C Callanan; F Moore, R Burke, D Collins; A Harte, I Tannian, D Burke; J Coen, P Brehony; N Burke, C Cooney, D Burke; C Mannion, J Glynn, J Canning. laois: TBA. Referee: C McAllister (Cork).