Jackie Tyrrell believes Galway's chances of overcoming Tipperary hinge on getting the configuration of their defence right and said today's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final fixture was "D-Day" for Henry Shefflin's side.
Galway will need to recover from the last-minute nature of their Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny in a match-up with Tipp that perenially delivers enthralling contests.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, nine-time former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Tyrrell feels the pressure is more on Galway than Tipp.
"The majority of the pressure is on Galway. They had a really good year last year, didn't win the Leinster final and pushed Limerick really, really close but this year, (it's) very stop-start, only playing games in nearly halves and quarters," he said.
"They probably haven't stitched 70 solid minutes together so if they don't get over the line at the weekend, I think it's definitely a step back for Galway. I think they'll have had a better year last year and there would be a lot of questions internally with Galway and what direction this team is going.
"So a lot of pressure on Henry and his management team and the players, and probably the more senior players within that group. This is D-Day for Galway hurling."
Tyrrell also zoned in on the set-up of their back six in regards to how they can best contain Tipp.
"They have problems in their full-back line. You look at Gearoid McInerney, (he) hasn't really fully settled there," he said.
"The corner-back situation is like a revolving door with Jack Grealish in, TJ Brennan in, Darren Morrissey in. It's not as settled looking as last year.
"Éanna Murphy seems a bit more jumpy in the goal if you think of against Dublin, some of his puck outs, that goal he conceded.
"So I think the back six and what (Shefflin) does there (is important) because one thing we know with Tipperary always traditionally have got goals and they've Jason Forde back in the set-up.
"They've a bit more of a potent attack so Henry has a lot of work to do but I think he'll be starting with the back six, what that structure looks like, who picks up who, who fills the 'three' and 'six' jersey, I think that's probably a big question that Henry has to answer."
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts
Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-finals, Dublin v Clare and Galway v Tipperary, on Saturday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
The latest installment of one of the most entertaining rivalries in hurling - Tipperary and Galway collide in the Gaelic Grounds, watch live coverage on @rte2 and @rteplayer, throw-in at 6.15pm #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/qySI2KxQV3
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) June 24, 2023
