Canning turns down chance to join Galway senior panel
The Portumna youngster confirmed that he had been asked by coach Conor Hayes to join the senior squad.
However he has declined the offer — for the moment.
Said Canning: “I’m carrying a bit of an injury and don’t want to pick up any more ahead of our All-Ireland minor quarter-final against Antrim on Sunday.
“We have only two of last year’s All-Ireland winning minor team available, myself and goalkeeper James Skahill. It would be foolish to underestimate Antrim and in the circumstances I’ve opted to play my own grade.”
He admitted it was a great honour to receive the call up from Hayes.
“It was great to be asked to join the senior setup but my first priority is to the minors and will be as long as we remain in the championship.
“Things could change if we are beaten.
“Hopefully there will be many years ahead of me playing senior inter-county hurling.”
Canning, who earlier this year won the Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star award for hurling, is the holder of back-to-back minor All-Ireland medals and is captain of this year’s team chasing a hat-trick of titles.
Galway had tried to get the minor game switched to Friday evening, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Meanwhile, TG4 are to televise the Erin Leinster and Munster U21 hurling finals.
Dublin and Kilkenny clash in Nowlan Park on Thursday, July 27 while Cork and Tipperary meet in Semple Stadium on August 9.
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