Galway captain Conor Whelan says he is enjoying his new role as a half-forward as they prepare to face Dublin on Sunday with a place in the Leinster SHC final at stake (Live on RTÉ2/Player).
The Tribesmen's manager Micheál Donoghue, back for his second term in charge, has moved Whelan out from the full-forward line a lot this season and the Kinvara clubman has revelled in his new role as a linkman creating scores.
"I have a new home now," said Whelan after their emphatic 6-27 to 1-14 win over Antrim last weekend.
"Look, ultimately it's what the team needs and I don't mind where I'm playing. I think when you are in your 11th year, you're grateful for the chance to be playing.
"Anywhere I'd be asked to play I'd be happy to do it. Yeah, I suppose it's a different position but I played there for the club all year last year.
"We'll see how we go. I spend some time inside as well and looking at the way the game has gone now. I think numbers count for nothing really. You're nearly playing across the front six at different stages."
Galway recovered from their opening round loss to Kilkenny to chalk up good wins over Offaly, Wexford and Antrim (highlights above) to set up what is essentially a Leinster semi-final showdown with a Dublin side who knocked them out of the championship - and with Donoghue in charge - last year.
"Every team you're playing in Leinster, if you are not at the level that you need to be at you're going to be found out, and it's the same coming into the Dublin game," said Whelan.
"I think at this level you have to be on it every single day and that's the key message.
"I suppose it is about working hard as a group and grinding out results and we didn't manage to do that against Dublin last year. But it's a new team, it's a fresh set-up and really looking forward to it.
"I think we've learned the hard way that it all usually comes down to that last game. The Dublin game is going to be a massive test and it's a test of the group and I suppose where we are at.
"The prize on the line is the Leinster final and it's winner-takes-all so I’m looking forward to it."
Watch a hurling championship double-header, Dublin v Galway (2pm) and Cork v Waterford (4pm), on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm
