There was some consolation for Galway hurling in the aftermath of last week's All-Ireland hurling final defeat when corner back Ollie Canning was yesterday presented with the Eircell GAA Player of the Month Award for August 2001. Canning's award is based on his performance during the county's memorable All-Ireland semi-final win over champions Kilkenny last month. Marking Charlie Carter, who had scored 13 points in the Leinster championship, Canning restricted the formidable Gowran ma n to a point and made a number of significant clearances.

In last month's All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny, he restricted Charlie Carter to a point. In the recent final against Tipperary, Canning again kept a tidy house with Eoin Kelly also managing only one point from play.