The €3m free: Canning forces final replay
Joe Canning’s nerveless equaliser for Galway in yesterday’s enthralling All-Ireland final might have delayed the coronation of hurling champions for the first time in 53 years, but it has also boosted the GAA’s bank account by over €3m.
Tipperary and Dublin will play in the Sept 30 replay curtainraiser, as the minor teams also drew yesterday. It’s the first time both hurling finals failed to find a winner. The odds on a pair of draws was 155/1. There were no takers, according to bookmakers Boylesports.
The replay will push the All-Ireland Ladies Football final back to Oct 7.
Ticket prices for the replays may be reduced, although the GAA will still make over €3m in additional income.
Canning and Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin were the principle gunslingers in a memorable final that finished 2-13 to 0-19.
Cody and his opposite number Anthony Cunningham squared up to one another in the final, tense moments, but afterwards took the heat out of the situation.
“Surely to God the two managers are entitled to be excited. If that’s a strange thing to see then you haven’t been at too many hurling matches,” said Cody afterwards. “It was a bit of excitement, no big deal. Well done Anthony, best of luck, see you in three weeks’ time.”
