GALWAY BOSS KEVIN Walsh is likely to be taking his team to Castlebar for a Connacht semi-final next month and he rates their potential opponents Mayo so highly, that he feels they are the best placed side in the country to topple reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin.
After collecting a fourth consecutive league crown last month, Dublin are overwhelming favourites to be celebrating in September in Croke Park.
There has been plenty debate as to who can challenge them for the All-Ireland crown with Walsh reckoning Mayo are at the head of the chasing pack.
Mayo travel to Ruislip to face London in the Connacht quarter-final on 29 May and victory there would set up a last four clash with the Tribesmen on 18 June.
“I think they’re as dangerous as they’ve been,” stated Walsh.
“I don’t think they’ve gone back in any way. The early part of the league wasn’t good but they got the points when they needed to get them.
“Castlebar (Mitchels) were out at the time (in the All-Ireland club championship) and (the) management weren’t long in. I’m sure they’ll have their eyes firmly fixed on All-Ireland titles.
“They’ve also got the bodies back so they’re not an old side by any means. They’ve been up there, they’re experienced and they have put the Dubs toe to toe.
“I would say they certainly feel themselves that they’re the best placed to take them out. That’s where they would be, on the back of last year’s performances.”
Mayo have exited the championship in an All-Ireland semi-final replay to the eventual champions in the past two years.
Before that they were felled by Donegal in the 2012 All-Ireland final and by Dublin in the 2013 decider.
But do you think they are the leading challenger to take on Dublin? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Getting the poll in early lads
Cruel blow on young James Maher who was improving all the time in the league for Kilkenny. He got a serious knee injury in a farming accident earlier in the week. Hope he makes a full recovery and we see him in the black an amber next year again.
Kk and Limerick for me. Both stronger firepower. Cats warming up nicely again for the year. Yeeeeeeeeee haaaaaah
Clare and limerick for me. Twp underdogs coming in under the radar. Clare the only team with a 100% record in 2016.
In fairness it wasn’t hard to have a 100% record in 1B. Only tough game they had was at home to Limerick and had an extra man for most of the game. We will see what Clare are really like today even if they are missing a few but so are Kilkenny.
Limerick need show up today .