Galway versus Kilkenny the 'sauciest' game in Leinster

Sunday's clash of Galway and Kilkenny at Salthill is an opportunity for both counties to have a rare proper test in the Leinster SHC, according to Jackie Tyrrell.

The Cats started their campaign last weekend with a ludicrous 32-point victory over Antrim at Nowlan Park, while the Tribesmen had 11 points to spare over Carlow.

The sides have contested the last two provincial finals, including last year's smash and grab for Kilkenny, and they are favoured to reach the decider again next month.

A draw between Wexford and Dublin has kept both counties' hopes of a trip to the provincial final alive. The Yellowbellies have beaten their black and amber neighbours in their last two Leinster SHC meetings, although with the caveat that the Cats had already qualified for the final on both occasions.

Similarly, the Dubs knocked Galway out of the province in 2018 and 2021, while they drew with them last year, so a different Leinster final pairing is not completely out of the question just yet.

But for Tyrrell, who was speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, the two best sides on paper will be playing at Pearse Stadium and it'll give both a good reading of their level at this stage of the year.

"Henry [Shefflin, Galway manager] will be going for this all guns blazing," he said.

"You'll see a much stronger team with all his starters coming out this weekend. The way Leinster is, how many acid tests are they going to get because they need to win a Leinster final this year.

"You look at Dublin, you look at Wexford, but you particularly put a ring around Kilkenny and say you're going to get a battle and a test.

"We need to find out about the Gavin Lees, the Declan McLoughlins of this world - the new guys. He'll be putting them out and saying, 'places are up