After an extremely difficult few days for Kilkenny hurling the thoughts are slowly shifting back to their All-Ireland quarter-final. Last week's tragic car accident, and the death of Vanessa McGarry, wife of goalkeeper James McGarry, will stay with them forever, and inevitably put a different perspective on Saturday's game against Galway, a week after it was originally scheduled.

Forward Martin Comerford reflected that yesterday, talking solely about the challenge of Galway in an effort to leave the recent tragedy aside. Comerford is particularly close to McGarry - and it remains to be seen how well he and the rest of the Kilkenny team can refocus on their game.

Yet Kilkenny, naturally, will be trying as hard as ever to win: "There'll be no complacency on Kilkenny's behalf playing Galway," said Comerford. "They bring a great intensity and physicality to their game. They're fast, skilful players, and can beat anyone on any given day. They have the underage tradition as well, beating Kilkenny at under-21 and minor in recent years. And those players are coming through now.

"We weren't really tested in Leinster, and that will be a slight handicap, that we haven't been put to the pin of our collar. Unlike Galway, who did have a tough game against Clare. But we've been training hard, in Nowlan Park, in Freshford, and different places. It's been tough. We've put in a good effort and good work rate, so hopefully we will be at the pace.

"Training though is different to championship hurling. And the big question is have we got the hunger to win another All-Ireland. From my own point of view, it is definitely there. But you're only around for a set number of years, and you have to make the best of it while you're there."

Comerford then offered a timely reminder that Kilkenny have lost only five championship matches since 2000, and two of those were to Galway - the 2001 and 2005 semi-finals. But they've also beaten them twice within that time, most notably last year's comfortable 3-14 to 2-11 quarter-final.

"It is kind of a deciding encounter on Sunday," he added. "But whoever wins is into the All-Ireland semi-final, that's the real carrot. I think when we lost two years ago it was the level they were playing at, we just found it hard to reach."

Galway manager Ger Loughnane has been adding some further spice to the game by talking up the physical element to Kilkenny's game, and the teams could soon be even greater rivals if Galway finally accept the pressing invitation to join the Leinster championship.

"Sure that's only Loughnane trying to create a bit more publicity for the match, a bit more interest around it. I admire Ger Loughnane, he's been great for hurling over the years, and brought great success to Clare. And I'm sure he'll have his charges well motivated for Saturday.

"Brian Cody is just as driven. He wouldn't be there if he wasn't driven. He loves hurling and loves winning as well. That's his goal, to win All-Irelands with Kilkenny.

"I suppose it would be better for us if Galway were playing in Leinster, although it's completely up to the Galway County Board, It would be great to have another team in there, which would be good for the Leinster championship. But all we can do is look after our own house, and it's up to other counties to get there house in order."

There are, however, some signs that Kilkenny's dominance could soon be eroded - and the underage conveyor belt is slowing down, especially given Dublin's minor and under-21 successes in Leinster in recent weeks.

Although Comerford didn't win either of those grades with Kilkenny he agreed there are no guarantees about their future strength.

"That can easily happen. Kilkenny had great teams in the early 1980s and then didn't win another All-Ireland until 1992. And then they didn't win another one until 2000. So it is important to make the best of it when you have the chance."

Comerford was speaking at the announcement of the latest Gaelic Players Association (GPA) sponsorship agreement, which sees Halifax Bank support their Gaelic skills training camp and new Gaelic skills coaching software, a five-year deal worth a seven-figure sum to the GPA.