Preview: SF qualifier: Galway v Tipperary

July 26, 2014

Paul Conroy of Galway and Peter Acherson of Tipperary. INPHO
Galway manager Alan Mulholland has gone back to the drawing board following his team's Connacht final reversal at the hands of Mayo and made a number of changes to his starting 15 for today's SF qualifier against Tipperary in Tullamore.

Former Kildare star James Kavanagh gets the nod at left half forward while Michael Martin also comes into the attack with Damien Comer and Eddie Hoare losing out.

Tomás Healy is in line to make his championship debut between the posts, replacing Manus Breathnach and Joss Moore, who missed the provincial decider because of injury, is preferred to Aonghus Tierney in the number four jersey.

The Tribesmen's boss has his homework done on their Munster opponents and he will be hoping for a repeat of the four-point victory they enjoyed over the Premier County in Salthill last year.

"Tipperary were certainly unlucky not to beat Cork in the Munster semi-final and since then it has been obvious that wasn't a one off performance.

"They posted huge scores against Longford and Laois and we are fully aware of just how potent they are up front."

Unsurprisingly, Premier boss Peter Creedon is sticking with the team line-out that scored a 3-17 to 4-9 victory over Laois last time out.

"What strikes me about Galway this year is the transition - they did well enough against Cork last year, they ran them very close, but I think there are eight or nine new players in place now this year.

"If they come with their A game we'll be under pressure but, at the same time, if we play well we'll have a chance."

Verdict - Tipperary.

Galway team: Tomás Healy; Donal O'Neill, Finian Hanley, Joss Moore; Gareth Bradshaw, Gary O'Donnell, Paul Varley; Fiontán O'Curraoin, Thomas Flynn; Michael Lundy, Shane Walsh, James Kavanagh; Michael Martin, Paul Conroy, Danny Cummins.

Tipperary team: Paul Fitzgerald; John Coghlan, Paddy Codd, Ciarán McDonald; Colin O'Riordan, Robbie Kiely, Ger Mulhair; Steven O'Brien, George Hannigan; Michael Quinlivan, Brian Fox, Peter Acheson; Conor Sweeney, Barry Grogan, Philip Austin.

Match details: Saturday, O'Connor Park, Tullamore, 7pm, extra-time playable - Sky Sports 3

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).

Odds: Galway 10/11, Draw 15/2, Tipperary 11/10.

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