Kilkenny will be desperate to get one over King Henry

ALL the commentary about Henry Shefflin going to Galway does give an added dimension to the Leinster Championship game against Brian Cody’s (right) Kilkenny at Salthill. Regardless of the debate about the controversial late free awarded against Conor Cooney, they took the foot off the pedal in the first round against Wexford and paid the price with a stuttering performance.

They then saw Wexford outplayed last week by Dublin, so the form of both is questionable. In Kilkenny, Henry is the King but there is sure to be an edge to this one with him in charge of Galway. Even TJ Reid and his Ballyhale clubmates, they will be desperate not to lose to him.

Kilkenny are going to bring that honesty of performance. They always do. Will Galway? Kilkenny have developed their game over the spring. Pádraig Walsh at number 11 gives them something different.

TJ is easing back into form. It’s a hard enough one to call. I thought Galway were really good in the League against Limerick, but the display against Wexford didn’t do a whole lot for me. Kilkenny to win it.

Many punters at Punchestown told me they fancy them them for the All-Ireland. Time will tell on that one.