Decision on Canning so crucial as Galway holding out for a hero

By 9am tomorrow morning, people other than those inside the Galway camp will know if Joe Canning is in line to play in Sunday’s crucial Leinster Round 4 game in Nowlan Park. Being the hosts and for the purposes of the match programme, their opponents Kilkenny might know too, if the 2017 hurler of the year is to at least wear a jersey for the match.

Micheál Donoghue isn’t a man for ruses but even the anticipation of Canning playing some part might be worth losing one of his substitutes should he not be able to tog out. Kerry did something similar with Colm Cooper in the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final replay win over Mayo and while its worth turned out to be negligible in the game, it gave Mayo another uncontrollable to consider.