Galway v Tipperary

Two of the coming forces in hurling will face-off in a league final on Sunday, with both sides jostling for the position of being the biggest threat to Kilkenny's dominance of the sport.

Galway last won the league in 2004, with Tipp's most recent NHL success in 2001 - the year the Premier County went on to beat the Tribesmen in an All-Ireland final.

Liam Sheedy has done an exemplary job with a Tipp side that had huge psychological barriers to climb after last year's Championship.

Being on the end of a three-game epic with Limerick was bad enough, but the All-Ireland quarter-final loss to an average Wexford side must have been a bitter pill to swallow.

The Munster side has yet to lose a game this year, though they recorded draws with both Galway and Clare in the Division 1B stage.

Their big test came last week with the trip to Nowlan Park to face a Kilkenny side that had sauntered through Division 1A.

Some may argue that the Cats paid the price for not being seriously tested earlier in the season, but that does not take away from Tipp's performance.

Eoin Kelly's performances are still of the highest calibre, but his team-mates have upped their games significantly.

Midfielder Shane McGrath received deserved praise for his effort last week, but half-backs Eamon Corcoran and Conor O'Mahony have also been exceptional since February.

Sheedy may not be absolutely sure of his best attacking sextet yet. However, the fact they are conceding so few scores means they are in with a chance of winning any game.

The Tipp defence will have its mettle tested again at the Gaelic Grounds, as Galway boss Ger Loughnane has opted not to change a winning formula.

Joe Canning made a seamless transition to senior inter-county hurling last week, and had an excellent game on Shane O'Neill. He will wear the number 14 jersey on Sunday, but it will be interesting to see if Loughnane decides to move him off Paul Curran and into the corner.

The Portumna attacker is not short of confidence, but Curran is a full-back of the highest order.

The Connacht side had a blistering first half against Cork last weekend, and they needed nearly all of their 14-point interval lead to ward off a spirited Rebel comeback in the second half.

You get the feeling that unless Loughnane's charges can put this game to bed before the last five minutes, Tipp will have too much in the minds and legs for them.

Verdict: Tipperary