Pretenders need to stand up, Hayes says
July 24, 2010
Conor Hayes believes Galway and Tipperary have fallen well short of the standard required to win an All-Ireland this year, and need to stand up and be counted in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final.
The 1987 and '88 All-Ireland winning captain, who managed Galway to a 2-20 to 2-18 victory over Tipp when they sides last met in an All-Ireland quarter-final five years ago, said: "A lot was expected of Tipp this year, but they haven't been playing well, while Galway struggled against Offaly. They seemed to fade out of it against Kilkenny in the second half of the Leinster final as well.
"I don't think we've seen the best of Galway in this year's championship. If Tipp and Galway have ambitions of winning the All-Ireland, they must put in a good performance on Sunday.
"There's no point struggling again and getting to a semi-final. They've had enough games to sort out their teams and they need to show signs of improvement."
On a separate issue, Hayes has criticised the CCCC for scheduling the Galway minors' All-Ireland quarter-final against Waterford at Croke Park for 12 noon - four hours before the senior tie is due to throw in.
"They should have put more thought into it. If you want to see both, you'd have to be there from 11.30 to 5.30."
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