GALWAY FOOTBALL:PROBABLY THE biggest story from the current National Hurling League has been the subdued form of Kilkenny.

The All-Ireland champions, on the verge of competing for an unprecedented fifth successive All-Ireland, have been beaten three times during this campaign, more defeats than they have sustained in the past three years of regulation league matches – and the competition still has two rounds to run.

Arguably, the three defeats have come against the very counties who most needed to down Kilkenny – Cork, after the whacking they got in the fixture last year, Tipperary, who lost both NHL and All-Ireland finals in 2009, and Galway, who had to go back to 2005 for their most recent win against Brian Cody’s team.

“For Galway to come back from five down against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park was huge for us,” said manager John McIntyre, “especially after having collapsed against Tipperary. The good thing about the current position is that our league destiny is now in our own hands.”

The win places Galway in a strong position to qualify for this year’s final, as they have two home matches left, against relegation-threatened Dublin and current leaders Cork.

Although the county once regarded success in the league as almost a contra-indicator for their championship prospects, there’s no doubt that, given the strong links forged between league and All-Ireland performances by Kilkenny, especially, and Tipp, progress would be regarded as a positive sign for a county perennially expected to fulfil the potential of under-age achievement at senior level.

The fact the county could record a rare win over Kilkenny despite missing the Portumna players, who return to training tonight after their All-Ireland disappointment, is a welcome endorsement of the panel strength, although Kilkenny were also under-strength.

McIntyre’s forward substitutions played a huge role in determining the outcome. Iarla Tannian scored 2-1 and Kevin Hynes 0-2, but the display of last year’s All-Ireland winning minor captain Richie Cummins really caught the eye. His determined running at the Kilkenny defence set up Tannian’s two goals and earned the praise of his manager.

There is queasiness within the county about fast-tracking under-age stars into senior action.

Even Joe Canning, whose physique equipped him to play at the top level from a young age, decided not to join the senior panel immediately after leaving minor.

The original intention wasn’t to call Cummins up to the panel for this year, but the combined impact of Portumna players’ absence and a raft of injuries caused the young Gort player to be called up for the Walsh Cup match against Laois in January. Called on as a replacement, he scored 2-2.

Then, after further injuries in recent weeks and in the continuing absence of the Portumna contingent, Cummins was called up again along with Finian Coone, chief scorer for NUI Galway in their Fitzgibbon Cup success.

Fast and accurate he showed no inhibitions about taking on the Kilkenny defence, a traditionally unwelcoming environment even for experienced forwards. “We need to run more at defences,” said McIntyre. “Richie hasn’t a trace of fear and he’s fleet of foot. He’s here to stay.”