Joe Canning: 'It sets us up confidence wise for the summer'
Bord Gais Energy ambassador Joe Canning.
By Cian O'Connell
With confidence rising Galway are being forced to deal with a heavy burden of local expectancy in the west, but it is a challenge Joe Canning wants to embrace.
Speaking at the Bord Gais Energy Senior Hurling Championship launch Canning acknowledged that capturing the Allianz Hurling League title ensures Galway supporters are optimistic once more.
"I think that’s good, a little bit, because it puts a bit of pressure on us to perform," Canning replied when asked about the fact that the maroon and white brigade are beginning to believe in the team.
"It’s better to have them positive than negative. If we were losing you don’t need the negativity you know that kind of way, it’s a lot easier when things are going well because winning is a bit of a habit and to have that. It’s always good to have that kind of confidence I suppose.
"Going into games, not over-confidence or anything like that, but just to know that you can actually win it, win a national title which was a big deal.
"Over the last number of years when we didn’t win the All-Ireland’s over the last number of years and Leinster Finals and stuff like that. So it’s good just to get that kind of confidence in our own mind that we can actually do it you know."
An awkward Leinster Senior Hurling Championship assignment awaits for Galway against Dublin on May 28 at O'Connor Park.
With Cuala's AIB All Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship campaign, Dublin didn't have a full panel until the Allianz Hurling League relegation play/off encounter against Clare, and Canning accepts that Ger Cunningham’s young outfit will carry a threat in Tullamore.
Joe Canning meeting President Michael D Higgins before the Allianz Hurling League Final against Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds.
"We don’t really know because all of the Cuala lads weren’t playing obviously so you didn’t really get a true reflection of what they’re like in the League.
"They were unlucky I suppose in a few matches in the League, but looking back to 2015 they should’ve beaten us here in Croke Park the first day and then the second day I suppose it was just one of those days we got a few early goals and it just set them back.
"There’s never been too much between us over the past number of years in any game so it’s not going to be any different. The League is the League, Championship is a different kettle of fish and they’ll have a number of weeks to get ready obviously for us and we’ll be likewise so it should be a good game."
Jonathan Glynn's return to the panel is a boost too according to Canning. "He’s a good guy and a big asset to us," Canning says. "He adds something different to us that we were probably missing last year and that we had the year before.
"He’s a good guy obviously to win a ball in the air and he just offers something different to us and it’s good to have that option on the panel you know."
Satisfied with how Galway's spring unfolded Canning feels Micheal Donoghue's team are well placed to make a Championship impact following the success.
"I suppose at the start of the year, I think it's well documented the League wasn't a thing we set out to win. We decided to try to get back up to 1A, that was a goal at the start of the year for the League. It was a bonus.
"When Wexford beat us, we had to re-evaluate and it just took off from there really. Took it game by game and ended up there unknown to ourselves really. It just went well on the day. It sets us up confidence wise for the summer."
