Canning set to return for Walsh Cup clash with Offaly men
FIRST choice players Joe Canning, Johnny Coen and Jonathan Glynn are all back in contention for starting places on the Galway senior hurling team ahead of their Walsh Cup fixture against Offaly at O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday (2pm).
The Tribesmen got their competitive year off to a winning start when accounting for Westmeath on a scoreline of 1-21 to 0-16 in their low-key Walsh Cup opener in Mullingar last weekend. Tommy Larkins’ Jason Flynn was very much to the fore by hitting 1-12 (0-11 frees).
Also prominent were defenders Padraig Mannion (Ahascragh/Fohenagh) and Colm Flynn (Tommy Larkins), Castlegar forward Dean Higgins, St. Thomas’ Eanna Burke – scoring four points from place – and Kilnadeema/Leitrim’s Brian Molloy. All five were making their debuts.
“It (Walsh Cup) is a great opportunity for young players to stake their claim to be honest,” said Galway manager Anthony Cunningham. “You would look at them to step up. Padraig Mannion and Colm Flynn were two new faces in the backs while Gearoid McInerney – who saw some action last year – also played well.
“Up front, we had a lot of new players and that is great to see. Eanna Burke, Brian Molloy and Dean Higgins would be new to the set-up and they slotted in very well. They have been working hard. The more competition we have for places, the better for us.”
For their part, Offaly began their Walsh Cup with a 2-15 to 1-13 victory over Westmeath in early January. Stephen Quirke scored two first half goals for the Faithful county and they led by nine points at the break despite playing into a strong breeze.
While the Lake County battled their way back, buoyed by a Brendan Murtagh goal, to cut the deficit to three in the second period, Offaly, who had Shane Dooley sent off on two yellow cards, hit the last two points to seal the win.
When Galway and Offaly met in the Walsh Cup quarter-final last year, the Tribesmen won by the narrow margin of 1-14 to 1-13. Cunningham expects a close examination again.
“Joe Canning, Johnny Coen and Johnny Glynn, who had been carrying a knock, they will all be pushing for places and it is great to have them back because it will take a big effort against Offaly,” said Cunningham.
He will have to plan, however, without Sarsfields’ Kevin Hynes after he broke a finger against Westmeath. “So, he will probably be out for a couple of weeks. It is disappointing for Kevin because he has put a lot of work in. His fitness is very good and he played a solid game.”
Meanwhile, Cunningham has welcomed the move by Galway Hurling Committee to run off the senior and intermediate championships in group format this year. For the senior, this will consist of two groups of five and two groups of six (22 teams) – the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals– while the intermediate competition consists of two groups of seven, with the top four in each group advancing to the knockout stages.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.