For all the talk about how Daithí Burke and John Conlon’s battle is going to go down — and it should be fascinating — how it pans out could be dictated by what happens in front of them.
Obviously, Conlon is as accomplished in the air as he is racing for ball but it sure would help the Clare cause were Gearóid McInerney dislodged from his sentry station at centre-back so that he could have chances to turn Burke.
McInerney’s ability to read the game is excellent as he showed against Waterford last year when he showed Austin Gleeson that he can roam too without being caught out in his protection duties.
Tony Kelly, though, has grown into this championship and will give McInerney a type of challenge that could be unsettling for the Kinvara man.
Five long years Clare have been waiting to enjoy the hallowed turf and it’s probably reached the stage where if they are told again that Croke Park suits them they will scream.
Using the expanse of the pitch will be essential if they are to trouble Galway because, as Davy Fitzgerald pointed out, a direct game would be right up the Tribesmen’s street.
The other 11 and hurler of the year on the field, Joe Canning, is arguably playing better hurling than during his award-winning season last year and Conor Cleary will have to give the type of commanding performance he hasn’t produced yet to negate him.
This could be cagier than expected.
It will be if each camp’s lack of media availability is anything to go by. Galway know that Clare will aim to play to their strengths by running in and around them but then there is more to the All-Ireland champions than just brawn; the agility of Conor Whelan and athleticism of their midfield pairing being a few examples. Muscle might be the deterrent here but their hurling should win the day.
Verdict: Galway.