Preview: All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final - Cork v Galway
Padraic Mannion, Galway, and Shane Barrett, Cork, in Allianz Hurling League action earlier this year. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Click here to listen to an interview with Galway senior hurling manager Micheál Donoghue.
Click here to listen to an interview with Cork senior hurling team captain Darragh Fitzgibbon.
Click here to listen to an interview with Galway senior hurling team captain Darren Morrissey.
All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final
Saturday July 4
Cork v Galway, Croke Park, 3.30pm, RTE/BBC
A full house at GAA headquarters provides an ideal backdrop for an intriguing All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final.
Having suffered a narrow defeat in the Munster decider on home soil to Limerick, Cork responded by cruising to an emphatic win over Offaly.
That match illustrated Cork's inside attacking threat so Galway will be fully aware of Ben O'Connor's talented outfit.
Galway, though, enjoyed a hugely impressive Leinster Final success over Dublin with Micheál Donoghue's charges delivering a stylish display.
Daithí Burke and Padraic Mannion are still going strong, while further up the pitch Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan continue to supply leadership and class.
A new wave of talent including Cillian Trayers, Darragh Neary, Aaron Niland, and Jason Rabbitte is being developed by Donoghue and his backroom team.
Nonetheless, they'll know that a most demanding assignment awaits against Cork. Shane Barrett will dash about craving involvement, while inside Brian Hayes remains a key influence. Hayes likely battle with Galway's Daithí Burke promises to be lively.
Patrick Collins was accomplished in the Munster showpiece, while the Downey brothers are always relevant to the Cork cause too.
Darragh Fitzgibbon's return to action in the Offaly win was another boost for Cork, who're looking to reach a third All-Ireland final on the spin, but they've lost the last five Championship clashes against Galway since 2008.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Damien Cahalane, Seán O'Donoghue; Eoin Downey, Rob Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O'Mahony, Tommy O'Connell; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, Diarmuid Healy; Alan Walsh, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.
Subs: Paudie O'Sullivan, Ger Millerick, Eoin Roche, Cormac O'Brien, Brian Roche, Hugh O'Connor, Robbie O'Flynn, Shane Kingston, William Buckley, Séamus Harnedy, Barry Walsh.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary; Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland.
Subs: Eanna Murphy, Shane Morgan, Fintan Burke, Cian Daniels, Cianan Fahy, Conor Cooney, John Fleming, Seán Linnane, Cillian Whelan, Colm Molloy, Brian Concannon.
