Canning should ‘stay clear of seniors’

GALWAY’S All-Ireland U-21 manager Vincent Mullins believes teenage superstar Joe Canning should stay clear of senior hurling for another season.

Canning, one of the most exciting young talents in the game, turned down an offer from Ger Loughnane to join the senior squad this season. And Mullins, who steered the county to a second title win in three years against Dublin in Croke Park Sunday, thinks the 18-year-old should not be pressed into senior service next year.

Canning, who celebrates his 19th birthday next month said it was a decision “for another day.”

Said Mullins: “I think, in fairness, they (his age group) should get their crack at under-age because they’re playing Fitzgibbon, they’re playing for their club and they’ve a lot of commitments — and they’re still only young guys.

“I don’t know what Joe’s plans are but he’s a special talent. I would say now, give it another year or so and he’ll be ready for action!’’

Canning remains non committal, “It’s about the U-21 today,” he said in the aftermath of Sunday’s win. “It’s not about the senior and that’s for a time again.’’

More generally, he admitted to having an open mind about some more of his team-mates being ready to make the step up to senior.

“It’s hard to know. You can’t say they are and you can’t say they aren’t. A lot of people will say that a lad is good but he mightn’t be any good when he gets there. It’s different for everybody. You have to see when they’re actually playing.’’