Galway have real chance at glory, says Fitzgerald
Despite being on the sidelines this summer following his retirement from inter-county hurling, former All-Star winning goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald will still be keeping a close eye on the action as it unfolds throughout the championship.
The new 'Sunday Game' hurling analyst believes that Galway, under former Clare manager Ger Loughnane, are real challengers for the All-Ireland crown.
Fitzgerald coached Limerick IT to Fitzgibbon Cup glory last year, with Joe Canning in the side, and allied to his knowledge of Loughnane's input in the background and the approach he has taken this season, he believes the Tribesmen can be a real force.
"With the amount of underage talent Galway have in winning minor and U-21 titles, you have to think Galway are there or thereabouts - they have to be one of the favourites," he said.
"Ger has said himself, he would deem himself a failure unless he wins. He has said that publicly. He knows the talent is there and if there's anybody that can get it out of them, Ger can.
"Ger is good at what he does. I like his attitude this year. He's backing his team up which is important. He's not having any rows with any opposition. He's concentrating on what he's good at.
"To me that's very important. Stay focused on your own team, don't rub anyone else's back up," he explained.
"They have a chance, he has the talent and above in Galway they don't accept failure. You look for Galway this year, they're going to be there or thereabouts and you'd have to fancy them making a good run at it."
And focusing on his own county's chances this season - they face Waterford in their Munster SHC opener on June 1 - the former Clare stopper believes that despite perceived turmoil in the Waterford camp at present, he expects the Deise to deliver against his former team-mates.
"It's interesting to listen to all the stuff coming out of Waterford but I'm pretty sure that Waterford will sort everything out down there.
"There's a lot of them guys pushing on. They'll realise that they've got to get things tight again.
"You can be sure Waterford will come out there battling big time," he added.
"Justin McCarthy has never won an All-Ireland with this team and probably gets a bit of stick for it. He'll want to win an All-Ireland with this team so I'm sure he'll have things tight down there.
"So make no mistake about it, whatever you're hearing at the moment, I'm fairly certain that'll tighten up come June 1 and when they play Clare, they'll run out all guns blazing.
"I suppose you just have to ask the question, have they sorted out one or two of their problems that they have at the back?
"If they have they'll be a force to be reckoned with. If they haven't, they won't win an All-Ireland."
