Galway out to repay Tipperary for 2014 pain, says Joe Canning

Joe Canning believes Galway will be driven by the pain and hurt of last year’s qualifier defeat to Tipperary in this Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final.

The Tribesmen threw away a 4-12 to 1-15 advantage midway through the second-half of that Thurles clash, the home outfit outscoring Galway by 2-10 to 0-1 in the final 19-minutes of action to win out on a scoreline of 3-25 to 4-13.

Canning, speaking on Life FM’s Square Ball last night, insisted atonement is high on their agenda ahead of this weekend’s fixture.

“We were six-points up with not long to go against Tipperary last year. We were very annoyed with ourselves that we let that lead slip. We’ve a chance now to rectify that,” asserted the Galway full-forward.

“We are not going into a semi-final thinking we won’t win it. It is the same as when you set out at the start of the year, your aim is to win an All-Ireland. This is another step on the ladder. It is going to be a huge challenge. Tipperary and Kilkenny have been the form teams of probably the last 10 years.

“We are going to expect a great challenge; hopefully we can prepare well and give it a rattle.”

Canning has been encouraged by the number of forwards contributing on the scoreboard this summer and believes the county’s progression to a first All-Ireland semi-final since 2012 can be linked to the strength-in-depth of Anthony Cunningham’s panel.

With management handing championship debuts to John Hanbury, Padraig Mannion and Conor Whelan over the past three months, several experienced campaigners now occupy the bench.

“David Collins and Fergal Moore have years of experience to bring in, Niall Healy as well. Joe Cooney too.

“It is very competitive in training and that is the way you want it to be.”