Masterclass from Canning not enough to seal victory

Galway 2-19

Tipperary 1-22

You could talk about Galway and their National Hurling League prospects as it stands, but there are some days when you just have to appreciate the magic of hurling and, more specifically, those who practice it with a succinctness, speed of thought and an intelligence that often defies human logic.

Joe Canning’s exhibition of hurling against Tipperary in Pearse Stadium on Sunday was, quite simply, a joy to behold and not one person – be they from Galway, Tipperary or outer space – of the 6,619 strong crowd would or could have disagreed with such a statement after his spellbinding display.

In all, he tallied 1-11 – 1-3 from play – with his goal in first-half injury-time a breath-taking example of ingenuity that, at times, can be taken for granted by the masses due to the high standards Canning has set for himself.

It was a sweet move starting with defender Fergal Moore, who gave a solid display at the back, and involving the hardworking Aidan Harte but it was when Canning got ball to hand that things really began to happen.

His control and timing, particularly in his use of the sliotar to squeeze every centimetre out of reducing the distance between him and the goal, underlined the genius of the Portumna sharpshooter. The finish was devastating and, on this display, it would be a sin if he was go through his inter-county career without getting his hands on a Celtic Cross.

The influence Canning wielded was sprinkled throughout the contest and when he powered a sublime sideline cut from distance over the crossbar for the Tribesmen to take the lead in the third minute of injury-time, it looked as if the score was a fitting finale to a complete individual display.

However, then popped up another man with wrists of note – John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer – and the half-time Tipperary substitute clipped over a remarkable 74th minute equaliser to tie up the game for the seventh and final time.

For both Galway and Tipperary, the draw means their respective National Hurling League campaigns have been left in the melting pot but, for the home side’s part, there may be a tinge of regret that they did not secure full points from this given they held a two-point lead, 2-18 to 1-19, with time up.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.