Clare-Galway All-Ireland SHC Qualifiers Match Pick...

Galway takes on Clare in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Qualifiers Phase 2 on Saturday July 11th at 7:00pm in Cusack Park, Ennis.

The Tribemen's corner-forward Damien Hayes, who is recovering from a calf injury picked up during his county's defeat to Kilkenny last month will be available for Saturday. He took full part in Galway's training session on Tuesday evening in Athenry.

Galway Team:
Colm Callanan, Damien Joyce, Shane Kavanagh, Ollie Canning, Fergal Moore, John Lee, Adrian Cullinane, Eoin Lynch, Kevin Hynes, Aongus Callanan, Cyril Donnellan, Andy Smith, Damien Hayes, Joe Canning, Niall Healy.

Its the same team that played Kilkenny in the Leinster SHC semi-final.

Manager Mike McNamara insists that Clare will hold no fears of facing Galway on Saturday. The Banner County put in a disastrous NHL campaign with losing all their matches. They put up a brave battle against Tipperary, but lost in that Munster SHC.

Former All-Star Tony Griffin moves to midfield to partner team captain Brian O'Connell. This is a suprise change that McNamara has introduced. Other notables switches are that Jonathan Clancy, who played midfield in last month's defeat to Tipperary, moves to top of the left with Colin Ryan now on the left wing. Ryan hit 0-12 (0-7 from frees) in a man of the match display against Tipperary, despite being deployed as an extra defender.

Clare Team:
P Brennan; P Vaughan, J McInerney, G O'Grady; A Markham, B Bugler, P Donnellan; B O'Connell, T Griffin; T Carmody, D McMahon, C Ryan; N Gilligan, D Barrett, J Clancy.

Despite the Banner's switches compared to an unchanged Galway side, I just can't see them doing well against the Tribesmen.

If Galway plays up to their full potential then we could be looking at a demolition of Clare. The last time Clare and Galway met in the Qualifiers (2007), Clare won by 2-10 to 0-14. Two years on, Galway are All-Ireland contenders where as Clare have slumped in performance.

Paddy Power Midweek Match Odds:
Clare 2/1
Draw 10/1
Galway 4/9

Handicap Betting:
Clare (+3.0) 10/11
Handicap Draw (3.0) 10/1
Galway (-3.0) evens

Winner: Galway

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