Canning may be called up to Galway senior panel

Teenage sensation Joe Canning is expected to be drafted in by Galway for their All-Ireland senior hurling quarter-final clash against Kilkenny.

Galway boss Conor Hayes has confirmed that he will be talking to the 17-year-old, who this year will bid to win his third AllIreland minor medal.

Up to now, Hayes has opted not to bring in the Portumna youngster - primarily as Canning was doing his Leaving Cert this year, as well as featuring on several underage teams.

"Anyone who has seen Joe play knows he will play senior for Galway, it is a matter of when rather than if," said Hayes.

"We looked at the situation at the start of the year and decided not to call him in. Aside from all the underage teams he was playing on, he was also a key figure for Portumna in winning the All-Ireland club title.

"That win once more confirmed that Joe can cut it at the top, but with his Leaving Cert coming up we again felt it was not the right time."

But Hayes said the position had now changed. "Ultimately, it will be up to Joe if he feels the time is right.

"He will be on the Galway minor and under-21 teams this year and he has to take a number of factors into consideration.

"The qualifiers did not present an opportunity to bring him in, but I feel it is now time to address the issue once more. We will talk to him, see what he thinks and take it from there."

Canning, younger brother of All-Star corner-back Ollie, has inspired Galway to the last two minor All-Irelands and was top scorer as Portumna won the Galway and All-Ireland club titles.