Mattie Murphy has no problem saying that this year's Galway minor hurling team is among the best he has managed.

The Gort man has delivered six All-Ireland minor titles to the Connacht county since 1992, and clearly has high hopes of adding to that haul this year.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune ahead of Sunday's eagerly-awaited All-Ireland semi-final against Limerick, the veteran manager said: "We have a reasonably strong panel and there is no point saying any different.

"Practically all of these fellows, and a good few of the subs, have played senior club championship this year and have showed up very well in it.

"Other years we would be damn glad to have some of the subs to put out on our first 15. It isn't one of the lean years in Galway minor hurling, I can guarantee you that."

On opponents Limerick - who the Tribesmen beat after extra-time 12 months ago - Murphy added: "They were a very young outfit last year where one of their players (Cian Lynch) was good enough this year to line out at centre-field with the Limerick U21s. So he is obviously a good bit over the ordinary." Tweet

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