Galway manager Anthony Cunningham believes complacency played a part in Kilkenny's downfall against Dublin a fortnight ago.

The Tribesmen will play host to the All-Ireland champions on Sunday and, in an interview with Galway Bay FM, Cunningham claimed that the Cats thought it was only a case of showing up against Dublin.

"What happened to Kilkenny happened to Cork on the first day they played Kilkenny," he remarked.

"Kilkenny were up for the Cork match and then they thought they only had to turn up for the Dubs. There will be a fightback and a kick-back from them on Sunday.

"This game can't come quick enough for us. Kilkenny are our arch-enemies and this isn't just a league game for us. It is Kilkenny so we want to win it and get two points on the board. We want to get back to winning ways after the Tipp loss.

"The next week, starting on Sunday, decides our league. We'll need two wins [Kilkenny this weekend and Cork the following weekend at home] and that will probably put us in place for a quarter-final which is where we want to be."

Cunningham doesn't subscribe to the theory that the Kilkenny team that will take to the Pearse Stadium field on Sunday will be understrength.

"Their half-back line is what is will be there in the championship. Cillian Buckley, Kieran Joyce, Paul Murphy and Jackie Tyrrell will be playing every day [in the championship], that is four backs that are there at present.

"Walter Walsh is there, as is Padraig Walsh. They'll be playing every day. Richie Hogan has been in tremendous form up front. To me, they are not depleted.

"It is great there is an experienced referee taking charge. I don't think anything that is said or commented at Barry Kelly will influence the game."

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