Joe Canning is some bit of stuff.
Galway are the National Hurling League champions for the first time since 2010 after they cut the best side in Ireland to tiny pieces on Sunday to claim the title.
In front of 16,089 people at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, the Tribesmen hurlers backed up their footballers’ Division Two success to make it a double for the county in April as they ran over the top of lynchpins Tipperary with a relentless 3-21 to 0-14 win.
In truth, the Premier county never really looked to be at the races. The All-Ireland champions have a hell of a start to their championship campaign with a Munster quarter-final against Cork in just four weeks time and, without their assassin Seamus Callanan leading the charge in the league decider, their minds looked elsewhere.
Joe Canning’s mind wasn’t though. In 61 minutes of action, the Galway superstar hit 0-9 and he did it from every angle, from every distance, and with the infamous blue and gold bearing down on him.
On one of the biggest days on the hurling calendar, Canning stepped up like he generally does and led from the front as the westerners shot the lights out of Tipp.
Naturally, the attacker took some of the usual plaudits.
https://twitter.com/KeithORiordan97/status/856175514641412096
https://twitter.com/orlapmoloney/status/856173869467668480
Joe Canning has been class today. Two well worked short sidelines in the second half #TIPPvGAL #GAA #AllianzLeagues
— Tomás Julian (@Teeej90) April 23, 2017
Strength, cuteness and pure skill.
Joe Canning giving a masterclass in how to play hurling. #strength #cuteness #skill #TIPPvGAL
— Sandy Carr (@young_carr) April 23, 2017
But this win wasn’t just about Joe Canning.
Jason Flynn
With the green flag being raised three times, Jason Flynn’s spectacular double stole the headlines as he produced magic with his hurl to beat Darren Gleeson on two different occasions in the second half.
He was awarded man of the match by TG4.
Jason Flynn is 👏🏻😍
— Emer 🌈 (@ismise_emer) April 23, 2017
Some goal that by Jason Flynn #gaabeo #gaa
— Tadhg Rohan (@tadhgrohan) April 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/CillianHough/status/856172864013316096
Conor Whelan
Alongside Canning’s and Flynn’s feats, Conor Whelan’s five points from play lit up Limerick.
He was winning ball all around the forward line and swinging over from all sorts of positions and stances.
The Tipp backline had no answer for his exploits and the fact that he wasn’t awarded man of the match didn’t sit well with some neutrals.
How did Conor Whelan not get man of the match? Outstanding from start to finish #gaabeo #AllianzLeaguesFinal #TIPPvGAL
— Michael Bermingham (@mickdaabrick) April 23, 2017
Hope Conor Whelan is ok to continue best player on pitch by a mile
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) April 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/Darth_Cody/status/856155035406872577
Conor Whelan extremely talented hurler but he compliments that by having a savage work rate #AllianzLeagues #GAABEO #hurling
— Bear In The Square (@bearnthesquare) April 23, 2017
Of course, you mention those three forwards and you’re neglecting the other heroes of the day.
Men like Daithi Burke who wrapped up John McGrath all afternoon.
Men like David Burke and the outstanding Gearoid McInerney who manned the half back line as if they were protecting the princess’ fortress.
It was a merciless display from Galway who dominated all over the park. It was a shit display from Tipperary. That was the difference. That’s why there were 16 points between them in the end.
Let the talk about Galway begin. Again.
