Former Offaly hurler Daithi Regan dismissed Joe Canning’s belief that the media showed a lack of respect towards them before their All-Ireland semi-final replay with Clare.
The Tribesmen survived a second half revival by their opponents to secure a clash with Limerick in this month’s final thanks to a 1-17 to 2-13 victory at Semple Stadium.
Canning suggested in a post-match interview that Galway’s character was questioned by the media but Regan believes his claims are unfounded.
“Joe can say what he likes after the game and there is no way there would have been talk in the Galway dressing room of a lack of a respect – because there was none,” Regan told OTB.
“I trawled through [the media] and I thought: ‘I don’t know where you’re coming from’. I know a lot of Galway people and I never heard one dissenting voice towards the team by anyone.
“I don’t believe that was discussed because I don’t think there was anything behind it. But if it was, are you looking to create monsters to focus the minds?
“They’re in an All-Ireland final and they’ll say who cares but I think we’ve seen enough to know that they’re not invincible.
“And we’ve seen enough from Limerick to know they’re very good and they play a brand [of football] that will ask questions.
“I think Limerick will pose different questions but Galway’s resilience cannot be questioned in any way. They deserve a lot of good will going into the final.”
Galway face Limerick in the final but are considered underdogs for the clash given their opponents’ form going into the showpiece event.
And Regan feels Limerick could take advantage of the Tribesmen’s defence if they adopt a similar approach to defeated semi-finalists Clare.
“Clare showed that the Galway fullback-line can be got at when they threw off the shackles off,” Regan added.
“I think Galway have shown great characteristics but a worry for me is Conor Cooney’s form because I think he’s a superb forward. And he looks a bit shorn of confidence.
“He’s been subbed in practically all the games this year and I think one of the things that isn’t helping him is the amount of time Johnny Glynn is spending as a full-forward.
“And I understand that. It is a good ploy and it has been paying rich dividends particularly when they haven’t been hurling well.”
James Hopper
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