Damien Hayes expects Galway to claim their place in the All-Ireland final when they take on Clare this Saturday.
The Tribesmen are defending champions and remain unbeaten in this year’s championship campaign having also retained their Leinster title crown.
Galway needed a replay to see off Kilkenny in their Leinster final which led to pundits questioning their All-Ireland credentials.
Galway's David Burke with the Leinster title. Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
But Hayes believes Galway’s physical approach will prove too much for Clare to handle at Croke Park.
“It’s a very dangerous game against Clare. Galway need to tread very carefully and to be well aware of the challenges that are ahead of them,” Hayes told Off The Ball.
“I think Clare blew it in the Munster championship and I think they were extremely disappointing in the second half.
“There was a Munster championship there for them to win. I think they’re going to thunder into Galway and I hope it’s going to be a brilliant game.
“I want to see a spectacle with different types of teams with Clare being more of a runner team and Galway being a bigger and more physical team.
Clare's Shane O'Donnell (left) dejected in the closing stages of the Munster final. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
“I think Galway will just have enough but I’m going to give Clare a lot of respect. It’s going to be a huge challenge but I do expect Galway to win. But who am I to tell Tommy Walsh – you’re wrong.”
Hayes won a host of medals with the Tribesmen before calling time on his inter-county career in 2014.
But the Galway legend never managed to claim an elusive All-Ireland title despite reaching finals in 2001, 2005 and 2012.
And Hayes believes the current Galway side have benefitted from having a settled team to pick from.
“I think Galway have got better and they have a very settled setup,” Hayes added.
“I think they’re using the same 19 players in the last two seasons. They have nine forwards fighting for six positions up front which is always very healthy.
“I think the team is very settled and they’re very mature.”
James Hopper
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