Galway and Derry meet for only the third time in championship action today and, as things stand, it's 2-0 to the Connacht men.

Kevin Walsh was an integral part of the Galway team that got the better of the Oak Leafers in the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals of 1998 and 2001.

Today, he sends his team out on to the Pearse Stadium field hoping they can maintain the county's 100% win record against the visitors and, following last weekend's three point win over Armagh, confidence is high in the camp. 

"We did a lot of things right against Armagh but there are also areas to work on and Derry will test us to the limit," he noted.

"At this time of the year, things move pretty quickly in the qualifiers, but our fate is on our own hands - the home venue is welcome - but we know we have to step it up."

Walsh has called Danny Cummins up to his starting 15 with Sean Denvir dropping to the bench.

Brian McIver, meanwhile, has kept faith with the team that scored a comfortable nine point victory over Wexford in Owenbeg last Saturday.

Their preparations, however, have been hit by the departure of three p;layers - Conor McAtamney, Terence O'Brien and Emmett Bradley - from the squad.

It's going to be a game of fine margins and home advantage could swing the result in the Tribesmen's favour.

Verdict - Galway.

Galway team: Brian O'Donoghue; Johnny Duane, Finian Hanley, Cathal Sweeney; Liam Silke, Gary O'Donnell, Gareth Bradshaw; Fiontain O Curraoin, Thomas Flynn; Gary Sice, Paul Conroy, Michael Lundy; Peadar Og O Griofa, Damien Comer, Danny Cummins.

Derry team: Thomas Mallon; Oisin Duffy, Chrissy McKaigue, Dermot McBride; Liam McGoldrick, Brendan Rogers, Sean Leo McGoldrick; Niall Holly, Fergal Doherty; Benny Heron, Mark Lynch, Enda Lynn; Daniel Heavron, Eoin Bradley, Cailean O'Boyle.

Match details: Saturday; Pearse Stadium; 5pm; extra-time playable.

Referee: Conor Lane.

Odds: Galway 4/5; Draw 15/2; Derry 11/8.

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