Galway captain David Burke.
By Cian O'Connell
As Sunday's 'intriguing' All Ireland SHC Final drifts closer Galway captain David Burke is well and truly aware about the importance of staying ice cool in the closing stages.
That is when edgy Championship matches are decided so how Galway finished at the penultimate stage against Tipperary offers hope.
When Galway required a last gasp score to win the game Johnny Coen had the ability and vision to locate Joe Canning with a clever hand pass.
The gifted Portumna forward arrowed a point over the bar from under the Cusack Stand - a flash of class worthy of winning any tussle.
"It was some score," Burke admits. "You couldn’t really write it, how the game would pan out. We had that belief that we would get the scores when it counted in the last 10 minutes.
"It was just more controlled and our ability to use possession well and pick out the right man. It is something we have been working massively on all year, finishing out games. We're probably not starting that well, but finishing strongly all year."
Now Galway return to the September showpiece once more. Burke has played in 2012 (draw and replay) and 2015 finals previously, but the St Thomas' clubman doesn't feel that it will be any different playing Waterford compared to a seasoned All Ireland winning outfit such as Kilkenny.
David Burke before the All Ireland SHC Semi-Final against Tipperary.
"It doesn’t really," Burke answers. "Because you have to prepare yourself for every game and you do put a small percentage into the other team and look at it.
"We will do that, but a week from the game we will be focussing on that. It doesn’t really change. I suppose Tipp and Kilkenny not being there is probably a bit of strange for people looking on.
"But I think nobody can complain that Waterford and Galway weren’t the best teams in the Championship this year and they will realise we are a coming threat in the latter stages.”
Burke acknowledges that it means a significant change without the bluebloods of Kilkenny and Tipperary. “It does, of course," Burke says. "It is a final everyone will be happy with.
"It is a final with new champions and a massive gap since they won the last time. So the neutral will be thrilled with this spectacle of hurling."
Burke knows what Galway will face at GAA headquarters this weekend: a Waterford team with a system and blessed with an abundance of skill. “We have played a sweeper probably more than anyone else," Burke states.
"In three games we played it. We are well used to it. And we have come across it a lot as well. I remember playing Dublin with Anthony Daly. It works for some teams.
David Burke leads the Galway team ahead of the All Ireland SHC Semi-Final.
"And Kilkenny played it as well. I remember in ’15 and Richie Hogan was sitting very deep in that game. And I was thinking that everyone says they don’t have tactics when they do, like. He was playing practically as a centre back with their centre back playing deep. That was them closing out a tight game.
"They have done it this year against Limerick. Tipp would be a more traditional team with 15 on 15 because they have such a serious forward unit all about speed and hurling and can really open you up. Look, it will be intriguing. We both have had sweepers so it will be interesting in that regard.”
One of the other central areas being monitored will be the midfield battle. In the maroon corner teaching colleagues Burke and Johnny Coen will face Waterford's Kevin Moran and Jamie Barron. “Massive all year," Burke comments about the in form Waterford duo. "They have been the engine room for them all year.
"I came up against Kevin loads of time in colleges hurling and he is a spiritual leader for them too.
"Myself and Johnny have been chatting since the game and looking to see how we can nullify their threat. They will be doing the same.
"That battle is key and I think whoever wins it will probably win the game. They will have to match that performance of the last day- they got was it 2-4 from the middle of the field.
"Brick Walsh is having a massive year too and Austin (Gleeson). But we are playing well too so it might start out as a bit of a chess game. But after that it might open up to be a thriller.”
