They say time is a great healer. But almost a month has past since Galway lost their second All-Ireland hurling final in three years and Joe Canning insists that the pang of disappointment is actually getting worse.
Speaking on Off The Ball last night, the Portumna clubman reflected on the heartache of losing yet another All-Ireland with Galway and where it all went wrong. Canning believes that this year's All-Ireland defeat hurts more than the loss in 2012.
It's tough if you don't get to an All-Ireland but it's worse if you get there because you're only 70 minutes away from an All-Ireland medal. It's harder than 2012 because we were so close this year. We had a great first half in the final but just couldn't get going in the second half. It's funny how matches can switch on small little things
Canning was also asked about the weight of expectation directed at him in relation to his performances for Galway. The former All-Star admitted that the pressure placed on him is ongoing and he also said he has some regrets about how he handled the early stages of his career.
I always feel pressure is on me. I hit nine wides against Cork and there was a lot of negativity about it. I hit six or seven in the Tipperary game and that was zoned in on as well. I think one of the worst things I ever did was score 2-12 against Cork in the beginning of my career. Now it seems that if I'm not hitting 2-12 in every game there's someone always on my case.
The full-forward concluded that Kilkenny's experience was what trumped Galway in the end. Canning along with Cyril Donnellan are the oldest forwards in Galway's line-up with the rest of the players aged between 18 and 22.
