Galway and Laois clash for the third year in-a-row in the Leinster SHC later today with a place in the Bob O'Keeffe decider on Sunday, July 5th up for grabs.

Two years ago the Tribesmen scored a fairly comprehensive 2-17 to 1-13 victory but, 12 months ago, the O'Moore County let a glorious chance to gain revenge slip through their hands and ended up losing by two points, 0-23 to 1-22.

Iarla Tannian came to Galway's rescue when clearing Eoin Reilly's free off his line right at the death.

With that narrow escape still fresh in the memory, Anthony Cunningham and his charges won't take Laois for granted in Tullamore.

"I saw Laois against Offaly and they are definitely a better side than what they were the last two years. I don't think they are getting the credit they deserve," Cunningham remarked during the week.

"They were well organised, very well coached, very well structured in their set-up, playing a sweeper. They have a style of play, no more than Waterford, but it is a different style of play and it is a unique style that gets a lot of scores. They are definitely going to be a hard team to beat and I am not just saying that."

Jason Flynn, who scored nine points in the replay victory over Dublin after taking over the frees from Joe Canning, misses out for the maroon and whites having suffered a broken finger in training during the week.

His place in the full-forward line goes to Niall Healy while David Burke is preferred to Joseph Cooney in the half-forward line.

Boosted by their long-awaited championship victory over Offaly, Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett and his players are relishing the prospect of taking on the men from the west.

"It's a task of mammoth proportions facing us, but we're going to tear into this game, and we can't wait for Saturday," he remarked. "It's a big game ahead of us, but these are the games you want to play in."

'Cheddar' has made two changes to attack following their impressive 0-29 to 0-21 last eight victory over the Faithful County.

Ben Conroy and PJ Scully get the nod in the full-forward line at the expense of Dwayne Palmer and Stephen Maher.

Verdict - Galway.

Galway team: Colm Callanan; Johnny Coen, Padraig Mannion, John Hanbury; David Collins, Iarla Tannian, Daithi Burke; Andrew Smith, Aidan Harte; David Burke, Cyril Donnellan; Jonathan Glynn; Cathal Mannion, Joe Canning, Niall Healy.

Laois team: Eoin Reilly; John A Delaney, Cahir Healy, Brian Stapleton; Joe Fitzpatrick, Matthew Whelan, Tom Delaney; Joe Campion, Paddy Purcell; Tommy Fitzgerald, Zane Keenan, Charles Dwyer; Ben Conroy, Willie Hyland, PJ Scully.

Match details: Saturday; O'Connor Park, Tullamore; 5pm.

Referee: Fergal Horgan.

Odds: Galway 1/12, Draw 16/1, Laois 15/2.

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