Canning bows out with Galway

Galway defender Ollie Canning has decided to call time on his inter-county senior hurling career.

The Portumna corner-back announced his decision in the wake of the Tribesmen's one-point loss to Tipperary in last Sunday's All Ireland quarter-final.

He admitted last night on RTÉ Radio 1's 'Sport at 7 Extra' programme that the 3-17 to 3-16 defeat is likely to be his last game for Galway. He addressed his team-mates in the dressing room afterwards.

"I just wanted to get the guys together," explained the 34-year-old.

"I might not sit in the dressing room with them again. I've built up great friendships. It was an emotional time, there are great guys and great people in there.

"It was a funny enough situation. I wanted to say it to the lads first."

Canning indicated at the start of 2010 that this would be his final year and admitted that he is unlikely to reverse that decision.

"In all probability that was my last game with Galway. I had said that at the start of the year. I doubt if I will be back," he said.

Canning believes that Galway have what it takes to bounce back from Sunday's heartbreaking defeat, and make further strides in the coming years.

"Everything is in place. The management, the backroom team and the players that we have there, I think we're very close to it.

"It does get tougher and it does take longer to recover after games and that is an aspect of it."