David Burke is determined that Galway won't be sidetracked by the row over the venue for tomorrow night's Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland U21HC final against Tipperary.

The Tribesmen must travel to Tipp's backyard of Thurles after the CCCC refused to move the final to a neutral venue. The controversy has proved an unwelcome distraction for Galway in the build-up to the final, and team captain Burke is hoping it won't affect their performance.

"The players would have been unhappy and maybe the supporters but we'll leave that to the county board," he said.

"We're trying to concentrate on our own game and not get sidetracked. We concentrated on training and there was never any talk of boycott with us in training. We pulled the lads together and said we wouldn't read the papers or listen to anyone. That's half the battle."

Burke is under no illusions about the size of the task facing Galway against a Tipp team that includes eight of last Sunday's All-Ireland winning senior panel.

"Tipperary have a serious team with eight senior panel members so we're just concentrating on the match alone. I thought they were brilliant last Sunday," he said.

"They were super throughout the game. Pádraic Maher got everything at centre back, Brendan (Maher's) workrate was unreal and that was key for them. We're counting on each other. It worked for us the last day against Dublin and it's the little hooks and blocks that count. Hopefully, we can bring the same performance the next day and we won't be far away." Tweet

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