Canning back as Galway skipper

Joe Canning will lead Galway out for the first time in his career on Sunday when he captains the Tribesmen in their bid to topple Kilkenny in the Allianz Hurling League semi-final.

Galway manager Anthony Cunningham confirmed yesterday that Canning is poised to make his first start of 2014 in the maroon shirt having missed all of their Division 1A games because of Portumna’s involvement in the All-Ireland club championship and a subsequent hamstring injury.

But while the Tribesmen are boosted by Canning’s return, his predecessor as captain, Fergal Moore, has been ruled out with a finger injury.