Canning braced for Clare challenge

Galway's star forward Joe Canning believes that neighbours Clare will pose a stiff test in today's GAA All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship semi-final at Semple Stadium (throw-in 2.30pm).

The Banner County claimed their first Munster Under-21 crown last month, and the Portumna ace believes that they will not be content with just having a provincial title in the bag.

"They have come through a tough Munster Championship campaign and won well against Limerick and then had a good game against Waterford in the final, winning easily in the end," Canning said.

"Obviously we are not looking beyond that. It's going to a tough game for us in our first game of the year.

"Clare have played two hard games already, so they know exactly what their team is going to be.

"They will bring huge intensity to the game from the start and it's going to be interesting how we adapt to that and deal with it on the day."

It is Canning's final year in the Under-21 grade and he is keen to go out of the competition on a winning note, after tasting success with the Galway U-21s in 2007.

"At the end of the day we are only concentrating on today's game against Clare, and if we are caught napping on the day that will be the end of it."