Offaly v Galway, O'Connor Park, Saturday 7pm
Galway beat Offaly 12 months ago 33 points to 1-11 and Kevin Martin has come in since and the Faithful County have improved considerably.
The League was up and down, but the last day out they were only beaten by two late Kilkenny points in the quarter-final and the Cats went on to win the League. There are definitely shoots of optimism there from an Offaly point of view.
Galway meanwhile just cruised during the League after they celebrated the All-Ireland during winter, which they rightly deserved to do after such a long wait. Even against Wexford in the knockout game, they had David Burke at full-forward, Joe Canning at midfield and Daithi Burke wasn’t playing, so I think you will see a completely different Galway on Saturday evening.
I think Galway will win, but I expect Offaly to be far more competitive.
Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, Sunday 2pm
It has been a funny year for Dublin. Pat Gilroy came in, brought in Anthony Cunningham as coach, and an awful lot of new players. He also brought a lot of players back into the squad, the likes of Conal Keaney, Danny Sutcliffe and others. The Cuala players are back too and they are going to pivot the team down the middle and make a huge difference.
I don’t think Dublin’s League form counts for anything and I think they will provide a very stiff test. I got it badly wrong about Kilkenny during the League. I thought it would take a lot longer for this new team, but they gave me my answer.
I couldn’t believe the way they improved in such a short space of time. It will be the last time I lose faith in Brian Cody after winning 11 All-Irelands and nine National League titles, I think he knows a little bit more about hurling than I do!
They have a lot of new players and I think it is going to be tight – Dublin have a great record at Parnell Park – but I still fancy Kilkenny to just edge it.
Michael Duignan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland programme
Follow both games via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now App or listen to exclusive national radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on the Sunday Game on RTÉ2, 9.30pm.
