Galway v Offaly

Galway's inconsistent campaign continued with a loss to Tipperary last Sunday that more or less summed up their season so far.

After dominating the opening period to lead at the break, the Tribesmen managed just a single point into the wind in the second half as Tipp ran out 2-17 to 0-14 winners.

Galway boss John McIntrye has expressed concern about his side's propensity to switch off during games, and last Sunday was the perfect example of that failing.

McIntyre is still without his Portumna contingent as they recover from their All-Ireland Club SHC final defeat at the hands of Ballyhale Shamrocks in Croke Park on St Patrick's Day.

Unsurprisingly McIntrye has opted to make four changes to the side that slumped at Semple Stadium. John Lee, who starred in NUIG's Fitzgibbon Cup success, has been drafted in at left half-back and Colm Callanan replaces James Skehill in goal as the Connacht side attempt to shore up their leaky defence.

Offaly's hopes of staying in Division 1 received a huge boost last weekend when the Faithful County scored a surprise win over a much-fancied Dublin outfit.

Shane Dooley was once again scorer-in-chief as the Midlanders ran out deserving seven-point winners in Tullamore.

But they will probably need at least four more points in order to survive and a trip to a Galway side which is down in the mouth offers a great chance to build on the victory over the Dubs.

It would be remiss of them to pass it up.

Verdict: Offaly