Galway - Kilkenny Match Pick...

Leinster SHC semi-final
Kilkenny v Galway, Tullamore, 7.00pm (Sat 6/20), Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)

Galway face their first real test in Leinster at O'Connor Park in Tullamore on Saturday evening, as the Tribesmen take on a Kilkenny side looking to claim their fourth All-Ireland title in a row. This historic Leinster Senior Hurling semi-final is gearing up to be an exciting encounter between the two teams. The match is historic in the sense that it is Galway's first year in the Leinster SHC. It's their second match in this year's Championship, as they easily beat Laois earlier in the campaign. However, it will be Kilkenny's first Championship game of the season.

Some of Kilkenny's stars are out due to injury, but Brian Cody's team still has great depth in the panel selection. John McIntyre's Galway will be relying alot on rising star and current All-Star Joe Canning (who should be okay to play despite a stomach problem) to get their scores.

Kilkenny's last defeat in the Championship came at the hands of Galway in the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final. That encounter has been defined as one of the most memorable and exciting matches of recent years. That day Galway beat Kilkenny by a score of 5-18 to 4-18 to claim what was truly an upset.

It is obvious that the Cats have been the best team in the country for the last few years and many people don't give the Tribesmen much chance of winning. However, I believe that Galway have at least one good game in them nearly every year and this match on Saturday could be the one. If Galway come out firing with their best, then they can win this one as the Tribesmen are one of the very few teams who could halt the seemingly unstoppable Cats.

I am going for the upset.

Winner: Galway

Paddy Power's Match Betting Odds (as of 6/19):
Kilkenny 1/5
Draw 14/1
Galway 4/1

Handicap Betting
Kilkenny (-6.0) 4/5
Handicap Draw (-6.0) 11/1
Galway (+6.0) 11/10