Cooney blossoming into the kind of leader Galway hoped he could be

Tribesmen's top scorer is shaking off mistakes and shouldering responsibility as Shefflin's men eye fourth Leinster title

Centre of attention: Conor Cooney of Galway smiles for a selfie with a young supporters after the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 5 match between Galway and Dublin at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Pic: Ray Ryan/Sportsfile

One of the key reasons for Galway’s unbeaten run to the Leinster final has been the performances of Conor Cooney, who has been playing some of the best hurling of his career since making his debut over a decade ago.

Cooney is Galway’s top scorer with 1-42 in the campaign but his leadership and work rate have been hailed by the Galway management as being decisive, with Henry Shefflin praising him for showing the way.