By Cian O'Connell

For 29 years Galway hurling enthusiasts waited and wondered. Hope was a constant companion, but in 2017 the Tribesmen enjoyed a glittering campaign.

Allianz League, Leinster, and All Ireland victories ensured it was a memorable and successful campaign. Goalkeeper Colm Callanan has been on the inter-county beat for more than a decade so it was a particularly sweet campaign.

"You're just always hopeful," Callanan admits. "You can never guarantee anything. In 1988, if you were to say it would be 29 years before this comes around again, people would have laughed at you. 

"It's Galway's job to ensure it's not as big a gap again the next time."

Callanan will decide on his Galway future shortly. "We'll see," Callanan says. "At the minute we're just enjoying the moment and all the things going on, a few trips coming up. 

"I'm self-employed a young family so conversations will be had in due course. Not leaning either way.

"The over 30s thing, the position I play has to come into it as well. Not too much running."

It is a vital time for Galway, though, who will be striving to build on such an encouraging stint. Can the current crop accomplish this? "As a Galway man I would hope so, but there are no guarantees about anything," Callanan adds. 

"There are a lot of other big hitters around there trying to do the same thing and take everything that you have from you, take everything for themselves. 

"The time will come in a few weeks when the gear bags will come out again. Everyone is back down to the mountain again and off we go."