Galway ban on social media

Galway management have enforced a strict ban on players using social media in the build-up to Sunday’s All-Ireland final.

A number of players have been told to desist from using their Facebook and Twitter accounts in the last couple of weeks as they prepare for a second Championship clash with Kilkenny in two months.

In the wake of their semi-final win over Cork, one member of the panel is believed to have been admonished for allowing a photograph of him and another team-mate in a recovery session appear on his Facebook page.

Kilkenny players using social media are few and far between with Cillian Buckley the only current player known to have a Twitter account.

In last year’s International Rules series in Australia, Anthony Tohill ordered players not to tweet about games. Laois player Colm Begley revealed Steven McDonnell had told him to hold back from publishing messages about the group.

Galway’s star forward Joe Canning was recently forced to block tweets from a parody Brian Cody account.

Meanwhile, Canning’s improved physique this season can be traced back to Christmas Day morning training in Portumna Forest. After a series of injuries, the two-time All Star was determined to up his fitness and was given a comprehensive off-season programme from management.

Selector Mattie Kenny was on hand to guide the 23-year-old through the heavy hour and a half festive sessions.

Speaking last weekend, the two-time All Star admitted he was over a stone less than he was last season and pointed towards the merits of the physical training. He felt in other seasons he was kidding himself thinking that arduous training would restrict him on match-days.