STEPHEN GLENNON

NOW it begins in earnest for Anthony Cunningham and the Galway senior hurlers. Now they have to set out their stall and lay down a marker of some value, if only for themselves, against Dublin in the opening round of the National League in Pearse Stadium on Sunday (2:30pm).

For now is the time the county must heal some of the wounds of their tame Leinster semi-final exit to the same opposition last year – and, to some degree, answer the torrents of criticism that followed their dismal showing against Waterford in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

No doubt, over the past 12 months or so, the Galway senior set-up has haemorrhaged confidence and, consequently, the first objective of the new management team of Cunningham, Tom Helebert and Mattie Kenny will be to ignite the more competitive strands of Galway’s DNA.

So far, the rebuilding process has seen some familiar faces let go – a couple, perhaps, questionably so – but to offset this fresh blood has been introduced and most of these players have already seen some pre-season action.

The influx of new faces, should many of them start, may dilute the fervour borne out of Galway’s 2011 disappointments for this tie on Sunday, although that may not be a bad thing. If Cunningham’s charges are to progress, they need to exorcise the ghosts of the past and open their minds to what can be achieved in the future. They need to let go. This opening clash against Dublin in the newly formatted, highly competitive National Hurling League is an important step in this process.

In saying that, one cannot discount the recent history between these two counties. Galway did record All-Ireland final victories over the Dubs in the minor and U-21 championships last year, but when it came to the cut and thrust of the senior ranks, Galway were soundly defeated 0-19 to 2-7 in the Leinster SHC semi-final in Tullamore.

That underlined the progress made by Dublin under manager Anthony Daly in his tenure. They accounted for Galway and Kilkenny on route to claiming the Walsh Cup in early 2011, before going on to secure a first National Hurling League title in 72 years with another victory over the Cats on the last day of Spring.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.