Canning backs McIntyre to stay on with Galway

The recently retired Ollie Canning has backed John McIntyre to continue as Galway senior hurling manager for another campaign.

Canning, who ended his inter-county career last month following Galway's one-point defeat to Tipperary, believes that Galway hurling is on an upward curve and that McIntyre can realise the Tribesmen's dream of winning an All-Ireland title.

"If you look at our results in the last couple of years - beaten by a point by Waterford last year, and beaten this year by a point against Tipperary - If Galway can iron out those deficiencies in the last couple of minutes in games and can improve on that area, who knows," he commented at the Centra Hurling Roadshow in Waterford.

"I feel myself that if we had got over Tipp we would have faced Waterford this weekend and had a great chance of beating them because only one point separate us last year.

"Galway could have ended up in the All-Ireland final this year if we had got the breaks against Tipperary. But saying that, every game you play is different."

Canning praised Galway county and club officials for doing 'the right thing' in giving McIntyre, who has been in charge for two years, their backing for another term.

"That is a great sign. Other years there would be some quarters who might want, and others who might not want the management team," admitted the experienced defender.

"It's great that he has got the backing of the County Board and the delegates. From the majority of players - anyone you talk to - they were all very happy with the preparation this year and the players would like to see him back as well.

"It's a good sign but it is up to John, he hasn't committed to anything yet. I think for the good of Galway hurling there is a good atmosphere there and if he stayed on I think it would be a great advantage."

And Canning says the negativity which may have forced its way into Galway hurling squads in the past was firmly banished during McIntyre's reign.

"There's always going to be different issues which come up during the year, but on a whole things went well. From a preparation view we prepared very well this year.

"He has got a good backroom team with him, and they don't leave any stone unturned as regards preparing the team and that's the way you have to be.

"It's gone so professional now at inter-county level - all management teams are doing that."

On his own inter-county future, Canning put to bed any talk of a return to Galway set-up.

"I had made up my mind at the start of the year that this was going to be my last year," he explained.

"As far as I am concerned now, that's it. I said that I wouldn't be involved next year and I don’t think I will be.

"As you get older your priorities change as well, and there's lots of other things in life you need to get on with.

"Hurling really is a full-time job, from the start of the year to whatever stage you finish. You could take six or eight months out of the year where you are really devoted to it."

He added: "Realistically everything else has to take a back seat, as regards to when Championship training is on.

"We have had extended runs with the club right up to county final stage, and then training for the club All-Ireland series.

"When you put that on top of the training schedule for the Galway team as well I've been on the road a lot in the last couple of seasons - as have a lot of the Portumna lads - but that's part of life. We've enjoyed it and had some great successes and that's why we do it."

Looking forward to Sunday's semi-final between Tipperary and Waterford, the Portumna defender clearly has respect for both sides.

"It (the quarter-final) was a good game in preparation for Tipperary, but in saying that Waterford had the second game against Cork which was preparation for them as well.

"Davy Fitz and his backroom team obviously know the players well at this stage, and they know what they are capable of - but they also know that they need to look after the players a bit better.

"There is no point in these guys running around in December and January when technically you need them hurling their best in July and August.

"I think they have managed it well this year and the signs are on, with the way the older guys like Tony Browne have been playing.

"Tony is playing great stuff this year and it is a credit to the management team down in Waterford that they are looking after the older players.

"Dan (Shanahan) got a crucial goal the last day against Cork and if he can do that the next day, I'm sure the Waterford management, players and supporters would be very happy."