NHL Semis - Ofeechal Thread

[INDIANA]

if that galway team ever clicks - christ what a team especially the firepower.

[orangeman]

So.. The Joe show makes its debut. Against a tough crowd in the guise of the Rock.. Well in for a penny in for a pound.. Let him have it Joe..!!

Should be interesting ! 

[GY Joe]

Lads,
Could someone post up the Irish Times article on Joe Cannings debut here..

Thanks in advance..

[GaillimhIarthair]

Galway give Canning his senior bow

A HURLING ANOMALY will be rectified at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday. Joe Canning has won five All-Ireland titles at minor, under-21 and with his club, Portumna.

He has a Fitzgibbon Cup medal. He has even lost a couple of All-Ireland deciders, but remarkably the prodigy has never donned the maroon of Galway in a senior intercounty fixture.

Irish sport was made aware of his potential in 2004 when, still only 15, he posted two of his trademark sideline cuts in the replayed minor victory over Kilkenny.

In the summer of 2006, then Galway manager Conor Hayes approached him about joining the senior panel. He was minor captain and opted to maintain his full focus on that responsibility.

From serious hurling stock, brother Ollie could still be of use to the Galway defence, everyone waited for the right time, the right juncture. Internal fallouts between Portumna and Loughrea two seasons back certainly slowed the process. Finally though, the time is now. Canning said:

"I found out on Monday night there at training, the same as everyone else. I've been with the panel these past two weeks. Yeah, it's been a long while coming alright. I got the call in 2006 but was focused on the minors and under-21s. I was then supposed to come in last year, and there has been a lot documented about that, but I just felt it wasn't the right time."

His touch is what makes him famous but his physicality is another obvious strength. He should adapt handily to the higher intensity of the senior panel although the highest level he has performed at would be the club final or Fitzgibbon.

"It's tougher hurling. There are far harder belts going in at training and it is a faster game," he added. Last weekend he took the short hop from his college residence to watch Cork and Limerick tussle for a place in the National League semi-final against Galway.

Standing in the freezing conditions, his eyes must have wandered to the sight of hurling's very own version of Hercules, Diarmuid O'Sullivan. He was also told last Monday night at training that he would be marking the great Cork full back.

Understandably, just days before his intercounty bow, he wasn't full of talk. "I suppose it is a baptism of fire," he answered politely, yet sharply. No man wants to be talking about his marker in the lead-in to a big game. "It should be a challenge anyway."

O'Sullivan, aka 'The Rock' has a habit of physically dominating opponents but that is one department in which the Portumna teenager (20 in November) should be able to cope. "Yeah, I was down at the game as, being in LIT, it is only across the road. It wasn't a great match, both teams played poorly, but it was difficult weather conditions. But Sunday will be a different scenario.

"Cork seem to be coming along well as this I think will be six games in six Sundays. Every player wants to be playing games."

The college season is over. The under-21s will eventually take up some time. The club will let him go for the time being. But Galway seniors is the main port of call for now and the future.

"The Galway guys have been going well recently. You can see it in training. There is a good mix there too as about 15, 16 fellas from last season's under-21 panel are in the team and a few from the minors. It helps, yeah, that I know most of them."

It also helps that club companions Damien Hayes and Iarla Tannian will flank him in the corners. It also represents a chance to lay down a marker ahead of the championship.

"I don't think so. I have to take every game just as it comes. In Galway we place a lot of emphasis on the league as there is a decent break afterwards until the championship." Is full forward his preferred position? "Ah, I'll play wherever I get in the team." Will he be taking the frees? "Ah, we'll see on Sunday." We certainly will. Roll up, roll up. They'll give him the sidelines anyway.

[GY Joe]

Thanks GI.
You would have to say that he sounds like a fairly level headed young fella. Well schooled coming from that stock alright..

[johnneycool]

So.. The Joe show makes its debut. Against a tough crowd in the guise of the Rock.. Well in for a penny in for a pound.. Let him have it Joe..!!

Should be interesting ! 

Out of that Cork fullback line of O'Neill, Rock and Murphy, he'd be more likely to get change out of the rock as those other two are sticky wee f**kers.

[orangeman]

So.. The Joe show makes its debut. Against a tough crowd in the guise of the Rock.. Well in for a penny in for a pound.. Let him have it Joe..!!

Should be interesting ! 

Out of that Cork fullback line of O'Neill, Rock and Murphy, he'd be more likely to get change out of the rock as those other two are sticky wee f**kers.

We'll stick to the board - they can stick to defending !

[GaillimhIarthair]

Thanks GI.
You would have to say that he sounds like a fairly level headed young fella. Well schooled coming from that stock alright..

He seems to be alright GYJ.  I'm sure there will be a decent crowd in Limerick to see him make the long awaited debut.  Unfortunately it looks like I will miss both of Galways games this week as have to head to Kilkenny but will probably wander in to Nowlan Park on Sunday evening to throw an eye on our opposition for the league final  .

[dodo]

It also helps that club companions Damien Hayes and Iarla Tannian will flank him in the corners. It also represents a chance to lay down a marker ahead of the championship.

Iarla Tannian plays with Ardrahan.

[GalwayBayBoy]

if that galway team ever clicks - christ what a team especially the firepower.

As long as we can keep them out at the other end.

In fairness even before Joe Canning came along we never had trouble running up big scores. If we could only stop conceding them we'd really be in business.

[Zulu]

Kilkenny beaten and Galway overcome Cork. I'm not sure about Tipp's chances this summer but Galway are really shaping up nicely IMO, though Cork had a weakend team out there today.

[glenullinabu]

Well its got to compete with Galway v Kerry in Pearse for the right to the football league final so they would want to use the head and put it into Limerick where both sets are an hour and a bit from.

that problem has been solver - doire abu

[GY Joe]

Well, a fantatstic first half by Galway, but a fantastic 2nd by Cork who had pride on the line after being 14 points down at half time. Ronan Curran man of the match on the 2nd half alone he made some difference.
From a Galway perspective, I thought John Lee was excellent Ger Farragher, Iarla Tannion Fergal Moore and even Tony Og Regan after all the shit he's gotten were very good. The backs as a unit looked better than I had seen them and harried Cork from the off. Most of cork's poins in the second half came because their HF line got totally on top with currans introduction. Thats a worry. But still 2-15 against cork at ht was some tally.
As for the Phenomenon, well I have to say all hype aside, for his first intercounty match 5 points from play, a side line cut, one off the ground, set-up a goal so not bad! He worked hard as well even though he wasn't as fit as his teammates. He was well marked today and you could see the the touch in action and when ever he got a bit of space he found a man or found the posts. All you couls ask of a 19 year old. A good start. More to come.

[orangeman]

Well, a fantatstic first half by Galway, but a fantastic 2nd by Cork who had pride on the line after being 14 points down at half time. Ronan Curran man of the match on the 2nd half alone he made some difference.
From a Galway perspective, I thought John Lee was excellent Ger Farragher, Iarla Tannion Fergal Moore and even Tony Og Regan after all the shit he's gotten were very good. The backs as a unit looked better than I had seen them and harried Cork from the off. Most of cork's poins in the second half came because their HF line got totally on top with currans introduction. Thats a worry. But still 2-15 against cork at ht was some tally.
As for the Phenomenon, well I have to say all hype aside, for his first intercounty match 5 points from play, a side line cut, one off the ground, set-up a goal so not bad! He worked hard as well even though he wasn't as fit as his teammates. He was well marked today and you could see the the touch in action and when ever he got a bit of space he found a man or found the posts. All you couls ask of a 19 year old. A good start. More to come.

Good start to his senior IC career - a lot more to come as well !

[timmykelleher]

That sideline was special alright.

Against the wind.

And did he actually win that sideline by blocking John Gardiner down without a hurley??