Cork hurling star Sean Og O hAilpin believes Galway would be making a mistake by stationing Damien Hayes at full forward for Sunday’s Leinster hurling final against Kilkenny.
O hAilpin came up against Hayes in the National Hurling League final in May, when the Galway flier scored a first-minute goal which laid the foundations for his side’s victory.
In a surprise move, Hayes started at full forward against Offaly in the Leinster SHC semi-final replay last weekend.
Again, he hit the game’s opening goal as John McIntyre’s side claimed a narrow win – but O hAilpin believes Hayes’s threat would be snuffed out by Kilkenny if McIntyre attempts a similar move at Croke Park next weekend.
In his exclusive column for JOE, O hAilpin wrote, “People have been questioning the Kilkenny full back line for years. Saying they’ve no pace or whatever. Every time it happens, they chew it up and spit it back in your face.
“Make no mistake, those guys will be ready. If Damien Hayes starts at full forward you have to give him the ball in low. Send in high balls and Noel Hickey will eat them for breakfast all day.
“If they have Hayes at full forward, you’ll see Tommy Walsh and JJ Delaney zoning off. So Galway would be much better with Joe Canning at full forward no matter what. You can give it to Canning any way. He’s quick on the ground. He’s good on the air. It’d be baffling if Joe was out in the corner.â€
To read Sean Og’s full column, in which he also talks about Offaly’s revival this summer, click here.
