Powerhouse Galway forward Damien Comer watched the county's hurlers bring home the Liam MacCarthy Cup last September and felt something stir inside him.

Micheál Donoghue's men delivered the big one for the first time in 29 years with victory against Waterford to spark joyous, emotional celebrations.

"When you see the scenes around the homecoming last year and seeing them win it, it gives you that urge to drive on," Comer told RTÉ Sport's Brian Carthy.

"You'd be like, 'why can't we get up that stage as well?'"

This year Galway look like a team on a mission. They topped the Allianz Football League Division 1 - beating Kerry in Tralee along the way - before losing to the Dubs by four points in the decider, and took that form into the championship.

Last year's Connacht SFC final loss to Roscommon was avenged at Dr Hyde Park and a major objective was ticked off the list: Galway were in the inaugural Super 8s.

"This year we've done all the right things," Comer added.

"The big thing at the start of the year was to get to the Super 8s. You try and get through that and work to the semi-finals and anything can happen from there."

Of the new format, he said: "I think it's great. Playing games week-in, week-out is exciting. You've got to treat it as a mini league really.

"It's similar enough to the Allianz League albeit there's going to be a bit more pressure involved in the games and there'll probably be a higher intensity."

Comer in action in the League against Kerry

First up for Galway is a clash with the Kingdom in Croke Park. It's a battle Comer is relishing. 

"They bring huge physicality. We've seen against Cork and Clare, they've been hitting hard up front. We know how good they can be but we've got to concentrate on our own performance and bring what we can to the game.

"If we can play like we did in the second half against Roscommon, if we can play with that bit of steel and edge, play to our potential... if we sit off them and let them play football they can destroy any team.

"Our lads are streetwise at this stage. They'll be well up for the battle. 

"They've got very good footballers young and old. It's up to us to try and limit that and try to disrupt their momentum."

"We've had a good year in the League and Championship so far so we obviously want to bring that on further and try and progress it into the Super 8s. I think the Super 8s will help this Galway team."

The wait for Liam was ended in style. Now comes the quest for Sam.