Joe Canning finally got his first All-Ireland medal on Sunday, and there aren't many hurling fans out there who weren't delighted for him after his 10 season journey with the Galway hurlers.
Canning is the toast of the west this week, but Galway's star man wasn't always universally adored by his own fans as Cork legend Diarmuid O'Sullivan explained in this week's episode of Talking Points.
O'Sullivan reflected on his own duels against a young Canning in his debut season of 2008 as well as the complicated dynamic between Canning and Galway fans over the years. So much was expected of the Portumna man as soon as he broke into the team, that fans often had very little patience for Joe's more human moments.
You talk about the love, they had a lot of hate for him too in another way, in a weird way. They turned very quickly. And if Galway lost, "oh that's Joe's fault. Joe should have done x, y and z."
The undue pressure that was on Canning has lessened in recent years thanks to the number of quality forwards that have emerged for the Tribesmen.
O'Sullivan also credits Micheál Donoghue for putting a system in place where Canning isn't required to be the focal point for the whole match.
To be fair to Micheál Donoghue, he said, "Joe you're playing at 11. Go get yourself on the ball, find yourself in pockets of space", like Kilkenny used to do with Henry Shefflin years ago.
When Shefflin was really good, he was a free spirit at centre-forward. He could go where he wanted. Players always knew if there was green grass, Henry would be in waiting inside in the green grass. And I think Galway are using Joe to similar effects.
One thing's for sure, the grass is now finally greener for Canning, Galway and their fans after this momentous All-Ireland win.
