Young hurlers have the armoury to survive drop

They nearly avoided relegation last weekend, but Galway hurlers will need to finish the job next Saturday in O'Moore Park Portlaoise (4pm) if they are to avoid the drop.

As expected Joe Canning made his comeback to the Galway jersey after missing the entire competition to date and his calming influence up front made a real difference against Dublin and it almost proved key but for the Metropolitans' late comeback.

The Galway management team are likely to make changes for the replay with fine displays from Iarla Tannian around the middle and Johnny Coen at half-back likely to have caught the eye.

Despite their fine showing in Tullamore, Galway are likely to enter the replay as underdogs once again. However they can also enter the game with confidence levels elevated, Joe Canning made a successful comeback, and Dublin will have to plan without Alan McCrabbe and Ryan O'Dwyer after their straight red cards.

But whatever the result on Saturday, Galway will face into the championship in far better fettle than if they had survived the drop, but ended their campaign with a hefty defeat to Kilkenny.

The potential is plain for everyone to see, and clinching the victory at the weekend will do wonders for Cunningham's cubs.