Galway were eliminated from the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship during the round-robin phase for the first time and county legend Joe Canning is one of many disappointed supporters.
Henry Shefflin is under great pressure after his greatest setback in management, with his side beaten by The Dubs 2-27 to 1-24 in the semi-finals of the Leinster SHC.
Galway started the better of the two teams, racking up nine points inside the first 15 minutes but the game swung when referee Colm Lyons judged that Burke's shoulder hit on Fergal Whitely was worthy of a straight red card.
Shefflin as well as RTE pundit Jackie Tyrrell stated it should not have been a red but regardless the pressure is on Shefflin who admitted it could be the beginning of the end for him and some of his personnel.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
Joe Canning questions Galway gameplan under Henry Shefflin
Canning - who won an All-Ireland title with Galway in 2017 - admitted the defeat was 'fairly depressing' when reflecting on The Sunday Game.
He suggested that things are not right in the senior county team at the minute, painting a fairly grim picture of ther current situation.
It is fairly depressing to be honest as a supporter and an ex-player," Canning remarked.
"I know a lot of the guys from playing with them. It is not in a good place at the moment.
"They never got going this year. Throughout the League and then in the Championship - they were lucky to draw against Kilkenny who were missing some key players.
"Then the sending off against Antrim had a big bearing in it before they pulled away in that before losing to Wexford and then losing today. It is not good and they'll be very disappointed with the year."
Canning also voiced his concerns tactically, accusing his former side of lacking a clear identity in their approach under Kilkenny legend Shefflin.
'You could see Dublin had a game plan today. When you look at Galway - I am not too sure.
"I couldn't see how they were playing, how they were working the ball out and how they were feeding it into the forwards. There was no real structure as such."
💬 "It's fairly depressing to be honest"
Joe Canning's verdict on a disappointing season for Galway #sundaygame
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY pic.twitter.com/DSUfLRRhrX— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 26, 2024
Eamon O'Shea - who coached Tipperary to two All-Ireland titles - was added to Shefflin's staff this season but Canning believes their tactical approaches are far apart.
'Even with Henry and Eamon and the lads, it is two very contrasting styles. Eamon O'Shea's is all about space and movement and Henry's Kilkenny were more direct.
"Maybe that takes a little more time to bed into the players as well because maybe there are different styles. It could take time and it is obviously not this year."
It appears that one way or another an inquest will be due after what was a major backwards step for The Tribesmen.
