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Peter Canavan Identifies Two Areas Galway Must Focus On Against Kerry

Peter Canavan Identifies Two Areas Galway Must Focus On Against Kerry
Gary Connaughton
By Gary Connaughton
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This weekend's All-Ireland final between Galway and Kerry is a bit of an anomaly. By the time you reach the decider, you are usually left with at least one team that has a track record in winning the competition in recent times.

That will not be the case on Sunday. Kerry have not won an All-Ireland in eight years, a famine by the high standards in the Munster county. As for Galway, this will be their first appearance in the final in 21 years.

Despite neither side being proven on this stage, the vast majority see Kerry as the favourites. Whereas Padraic Joyce's side have surprised some by reaching this stage of the championship, Jack O'Connor's men were identified long ago as the next potential powerhouses in the sport.

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In saying that, it is likely to be a close game.

Peter Canavan on Galway vs Kerry

Of course, Galway will have a plan on how to overcome Kerry. That will be no easy task, especially with the Kingdom's forward line.

Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Tyrone legend Peter Canavan feels there are two areas Galway should focus on. The first is limiting the service to David Clifford from further out the field, while the second will be getting the balance right when it comes to being aggressive on opposition kick-outs.

The areas they have to worry about are obvious. It is not about nullifying David Clifford, because they are not going to do that. Instead, they will need to minimise the Fossa forward's impact.

Like Tyrone in last year's All-Ireland semi-final, you expect he is going to kick four or five points. It is about stopping him scoring goals, and preventing quality ball coming into him.

If Clifford gets the right distribution, it doesn't matter who is on him, he will hurt Galway.

The one area Galway have been very good at is being aggressive on the opposition kick-outs. And they'll be coming into this game wanting to pressure Shane Ryan on the restarts.

Joyce and Co will be well aware how Kerry scored their goal against Dublin. If the Munster champions win a long kick-out, the first thing they do is turn and look to get it in early. That's when space is open at the back, and one-on-one situations arise.

If Galway are brave and push up on kick-outs - they have been in every game this year - they do need to be on red alert for the long balls in.

Unlike Derry who had only one target man, Kerry have options. Jack Barry and David Moran will start, while Diarmuid O'Connor will come in from the half-forward line.

Canavan goes on to mention that he fancies Kerry to get the job done, but feels the game will go right down to the wire.

It should make for a cracking contest.

SEE ALSO: Can You Get 14/14 In Our Quiz Of The 2022 Hurling Championship?

2022 hurling championship quiz

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