King Henry still wears crown but heir apparent Joe waiting in wings

Let’s get one thing very clear — the King is not dead, in fact King Henry is very much alive and kicking and going, for his record ninth All-Ireland senior hurling medal this Sunday.

There is, however, a pretender, and the man who will be king, the man who will be doing his damnedest to deny Henry that medal this Sunday — Joe Canning.

Henry Shefflin and Joe Canning, King Henry and Crown Prince Joe, the heir apparent.

So many similarities — both 6’2”, Henry 14st, Joe 14st2lbs; both prolific scorers, Henry averaging nine points a game in his 60 championship appearances, Joe with 9.4 in his 21 games with Galway; both also outstanding playmakers, the ultimate team players with the ability to always find the teammate in better position; both with the full range of hurling skills yet both also with the courage and physicality needed in an inter-county forward.

As a defender, Dublin’s Peter Kelly is familiar with the challenge faced to try and keep a rein on both. In his assessment of their respective merits, however, Peter tends to focus on their differences rather than what they have in common.

“From a young age, Joe was the central figure on every team on which he played, even coming on to the Galway senior team, whereas Henry didn’t have that pressure. Henry didn’t have the same profile, as an underage player, for a start, and even when he did make the senior breakthrough, he had the likes of DJ and Charlie Carter already there.

“With Joe, whether it was with Portumna or with Galway, he was always the main man. He had to play well in every game for his team to play well, whereas Henry could afford to have the occasional off day. Henry was able to grow into his role as a great player while Joe had it thrust on him from the start.”

Is he the heir apparent though, the next king? “I don’t know if you could compare Henry with any hurler I’ve ever seen. But Joe too has all the qualities. There are others who can go out and score 2-5 or more per game but there aren’t too many who can do it the way Joe can. It could be a couple of points from sidelines, a goal from a 20m free, a goal from play, points from long distance — there are few players who have the range of skills Joe has, he’s out on his own now in that regard. He pretty much has everything you want in a hurler, the complete hurler, if you want to put it that way.”

Former Offaly star Daithí O’Regan, now turned punter with Newstalk and TV3, is in no doubt, however — when Henry does decide to finally call it quits, his replacement is readymade. “Joe Canning is a genius; when he’s on form it’s a pleasure to see him in the flesh — he has everything. There’s no doubt in my view — he is the heir apparent.”

He has some act to follow, however. Daithí again: “Shefflin to me is the best hurler I’ve ever seen. He had so much going for him ability-wise but the most outstanding thing is his toughness. You had other forwards down the years with the ability he has but most of them didn’t like it tough.

“Henry Shefflin has been the leader of the Kilkenny forward line in that respect, particularly at the beginning of a big game where there’s always a bit of sorting out going out — Henry is the first Kilkenny-man to stand up and stand in. To have his hurling ability yet be able — and willing — to do that, to have his courage, his strength; it makes him the complete hurler.”

What Joe needs to do to measure up? “At times in games he goes far too deep — I would want him he where he can do most damage, in the attack.

“That’s not to take from his ability — he’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s brave, wonderful ability, an eye for a score, great accuracy. For Galway to utilise all those attributes to their best advantage though he should not be in his own half of the field — in the attack, that’s where you need him.”