Kilkenny v Galway

The Galway hurlers begin their 2023 campaign this Sunday when they make the trip to play Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup. The Tribesmen will be under new management this season with Henry Shefflin taking over for Shane O'Neill.

The Shefflin era officially gets underway this weekend when Galway take on Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup. It's no secret that Galway have been struggling somewhat in recent years. They haven't won the All-Ireland since 1988. As a result, there'll be a lot of pressure on Shefflin and he'll need to deliver silverware quickly.

Kilkenny will be a good test for Galway. The Cats are always one of the strongest teams in the country and will be looking to make a statement early in the season. They'll be led by their new captain, TJ Reid, who will be hoping to lead Kilkenny to a 15th All-Ireland title.

Both Galway and Kilkenny will be keen to get their league campaigns off to a winning start. Galway will be hoping to impress their new manager, while Kilkenny will be looking to continue their dominance of the Walsh Cup.

The match will take place at St. Kieran's College in Kilkenny on Sunday, January 8th, at 6pm.

Here are some key talking points ahead of the game:

Henry Shefflin's debut as Galway manager. All eyes will be on Shefflin to see how he sets up his team and what tactics he employs.
TJ Reid's return to action. The Kilkenny captain missed most of last season through injury. He'll be hoping to make a big impact on his return.
The battle midfield. Both Galway and Kilkenny have strong midfielders. The battle in the middle of the field could be key to the outcome of the game.
The weather conditions. The match is taking place in January, so the weather conditions could play a factor. If it's wet and windy, it could make for a difficult game.
The crowd. The match is expected to attract a large crowd. The atmosphere should be electric.

Prediction:
Kilkenny are the slight favorites for this game. They have a more experienced team and are playing at home. However, Galway will be buoyed by the appointment of Shefflin and will be hoping to make a statement.
I think it will be a close game, but I'm going to go with Kilkenny to win by a few points.

Who do you think will win? Let me know in the comments below!