AS WE HEAD for the third phase of the Leinster SHC, star forward Joe Canning will be on week 10 of his recovery.
His impending absence was signposted well in advance of the championship as he required surgery for the serious groin injury he picked up in Galway’s Division 1 semi-final against Waterford.
Given his already cemented status as a hurling legend, questions immediately followed about how Micheál Donoghue’s side would adjust to his temporary loss in attack.
Their first two outings in the Leinster championship have yielded a win and a draw as they prepare for their rest week ahead of a trip to Nowlan Park for a crunch tie against Kilkenny.
And in Kinvara forward Conor Whelan, Galway have uncovered a leader who can steady the ship before the Portumna star’s return.
The 2017 Young Hurler of the Year has been a cornerstone figure in the Galway attack since making a breakthrough to the senior ranks in 2015.
Good defensive work and a strong work ethic have always been hallmark traits of his game, as well as the orthodox skills of a lively forward.
And at 22 years of age, Whelan is using those tools to establish himself as a leader in the Galway team.
Alongside Conor Cooney, he was their joint top-scorer from play in their opening game of the Leinster round-robin series against Carlow.
Cooney finished with four scores [1-3] while Whelan picked off four points in what turned out to be a narrow win for the reigning provincial champions.
He continued to impose his influence against Wexford last weekend, making five key contributions in the opening half, which included three points from play.
While many of the players were misfiring in the biting gales swirling around Pearse Stadium, Whelan was able to find his range and help Galway into a 0-10 0-4 advantage at the break.
Defensive Effort
With the clock approaching seven minutes, Wexford goalkeeper Mark Fanning opted to take a short puckout. He delivered a pass to Damien Reck who had Whelan for company out near the sideline.
The defender miscontrolled the ball slightly, allowing the Galway attacker to pounce. Whelan’s aggressive tackling was rewarded as referee Johnny Murphy punished Reck for over-carrying and signalled a free to Galway.
Reck was forced to leave the field as a blood sub with a facial injury as a result of the clash, leading many to question whether Whelan was guilty of a head-high challenge.
Niall Burke missed the resultant free but Whelan’s turnover was an influential piece of play.
Whelan was alert to ambush a Wexford player once again in the 23rd minute, as he flicked the ball out of Kevin Foley’s grasp to reclaim possession. His intervention allowed Galway to launch another shot at the posts, but the relentless Salthill wind dragged the ball wide.
He also forced Wexford substitute Jack O’Connor to take too many steps with the ball shortly before the hour mark, an important turnover that took some of the momentum away from Davy Fitzgerald’s side who were starting to claw their way back into the game.
Big Game Moments
Whelan won some crucial aerial battles against Wexford which resulted in scores for Galway.
His first point of the game arrived on eight minutes after he outmatched blood sub Shane Reck in the air to fetch a long Cathal Mannion delivery before turning and drilling the ball between the posts.
That point came at an important time as it pushed Galway into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead and really got their scoreboard moving after a spell of wayward shooting in the opening minutes.
Whelan excelled in the air once again in the 40th minute as he plucked the ball from a Padraic Mannion free that was taken from inside Galway’s half of the field.
He secured a free for Galway in the process which Jason Flynn converted.
Whelan’s second point of the afternoon was another big moment for the home side. After gathering the ball in the centre of the field, he judged the unpredictable wind perfectly to launch a long-range shot over the bar.
Conor Whelan from the centre of the field fires over for Galway pic.twitter.com/g5paUhFFvn
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 26, 2019
Canning has been given a recovery window of 14-16 weeks, and it’s hoped he will be fit to return to the Galway fold in time for the Leinster final on 30 June.
Should they reach the decider again to go for three-in-a-row, his presence among the forwards will be a welcome sight.
His accuracy from dead ball situations has been missed. Flynn and Burke appear to be sharing that duty for now, but Canning is their settled free-taker and will surely be standing over the frees again when he returns.
Galway were unconvincing in their win over Carlow and relinquished a six-point lead to play out a draw against Wexford. They even trailed the visitors by a point at one stage.
With away ties against the Cats and Dublin still awaiting the Tribesmen in their remaining round-robin outings, they need leaders to steady the ship.
Whelan is certainly fulfilling that role and leading the charge at the moment.
Gavan Casey is joined by Murray Kinsella and Sean Farrell for a review of the 2018/19 season, and cast an eye forward to next year and the Rugby World Cup in Japan.:
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One of those perfect nights from a coaches point of view, good result, good performances from key players, BP in the bag and no point for Edinburgh and still plenty to work on come Monday. I thought Joey went very well after a slow start and Beirne had his usual top game. Frisch looks tasty at 13 and both scrumhalves were excellent. It’s amazing how ireland continue to look for locks and try to mould guys into second rows with power and the ability to win collisions consistently and heres Kleyn doing it every week. One of the most underrated players in the country.
@Jim Demps: it’s bizarre how he was never given a shot. A big physical man with a huge workrate & doesn’t give away any dumb pens
@Jim Demps: Disagree. Kleyn is a million miles off being Ireland standard the way we play now. Good week in week out player but that’s it. Was v happy for Munster this evening though. (Leinster fan)
@Jim Demps: I hope now Jim you see the error in your ways to have consistently come out to bat for Johann van Gran. Some decent coaching starting to bear fruits already in my opinion.
@brian waldron: in what way? He’s a good lineout forward, terrific scrummager and a fierce hard worker. What else do you think an Irish 2nd row should be doing?
@Tim Magner: consistency. He hasn’t got it. Gainline. Skill set to catch pass and jackal. Don’t agree his line out is as good as you say. And as for a hard worker that’s a bare minimum not an extra.
@Jim Demps:
Totally agree Jim on Klyen he is exactly what all of the big successful teams have Larochelle beat Leinster with Skelton more or less single handed. What did Leinster do as a reaction bought Jenkins from Munster. Klyen should be in the Irish squad for one simple reason he is a better player than both Ryan and Henderson and is a proper Lock.
When Itoje goes well Sarries destroy most teams
@brian waldron: he’s been consistently consistent for years. When does Ryan ever win a gainline on the carry? Kleyn is bigger and more powerful. Jackel?? I don’t think that’s a prerequisite for a th lock. Ryan’s best attribute is that he’s a good defensive lineout player but a worse overall rugby player than beirne
@brian waldron: rubbish, when was the last time you saw James Ryan jackaling, like Kleyn he does the donk work.
@Bgkph: Rubbish, one game against an average team doesn’t justify anything !
@Jim Demps: new tact this season Jim? Rather than undermine Leinster players, you are overselling Munster players?
@brian waldron: understand!
@Tim Magner: Unfortunately he’s miles off the three main guys – Ryan, Beirne and Henderson. He’s a good club player and will do a job, but not a great rugby brain. He’s a grunt man, unlike the other three. That’s just not good enough in this Irish team. Ireland wants ballers not bruisers.
@Tim Magner: who mentioned Ryan???
@Paddy Ryan: ffs lads Kleyn is grand but now one good game and he’s Ireland. Laughable really.
@brian waldron: we are talking about th locks yea?
@amusing_musings: I can see how beirne is a baller, a gifted player, and of the 3 henderson is the best ball carrier. Bar a very good defensive lineout, in what way does Ryan ‘ball’?
@Tim Magner: drop your kleyn for Ireland. You’re a lost cause.
@Tim Magner: tight heads locks?
beirne’s a great player, world class 6, out of position in 2nd row. Definitely not a tight side. Fair enough if you don’t like Ryan, but he does all the things Beirne can’t do.
Love Beirne, want him at 6 for Ireland.
@brian waldron: I’m only wondering why he didn’t get a shot? I’m not saying he’s better than the other 3 but he has done at least as much as treadwell and more than Mccarthy. If the Ireland coaches don’t like him then that’s fair enough
@James Hughes: beirne has made his career as mainly a 2nd row, he has been the best 2nd row in Ireland for a few years now. I’m not sure what games he’s played at 6 to be called worldclass there. I’m sure if he played there he’d be class, for me he’s one of the best back 5 forwards in the world, I think that’s unquestionable
@brian waldron: 100% agree
@Bgkph: Better than Ryan & Henderson? What hahahaha
@Tim Magner: he’s a complete player. Obviously if you’re only looking for the highlight reel you’ll miss his worth, a lot of armchair supporters do, but those with a bit of knowledge know that he’s doing just as much as beirne and Henderson in there and that he’s way more valuable than the likes of Klein. Just try and look beyond the obvious Tim. It’s a complicated sport. You’ll enjoy it a lot more if you actually understand the nuances. Try to ignore the raised voices of the commentators, and the frenzied cheer of the fans – they’re really just clickbait. Proper rugby people don’t get suckered in by that. And you’ll get there, eventually.
@h: one good game? Give over.
Kleyn has been superb all season.
He’s a better 18 months at provincial level than James Ryan.
Frisch looks like what munster have been missing
Excellent second half, we’re growing, slowly
Lovely game to watch and hats off to Munster who were mega impressive.
Good to have them back to top form and excellent pace and power
If France are wanting to Frisch back then A.F get him a cap asap. He’s been fantastic for Munster this year so far. Like another playmaker on the field
@whoowhat?: he’s a class act. He’s a real playmaker and he’s literally everywhere
@whoowhat?: He’s slippery, seems to make that extra gain in tackles that allows a silky offload. Best move was the only play Crowley had from 10 late in the game, attacking the line and forcing the defence to step back, ends with a superb break from Frisch, unlucky to float the pass forward. Don’t think Edinburgh saw the ball in that second half. 6N he may see some minutes, against France for the craic :)
Great result and good to see munster getting back to some form…
Fantastic win very well played
Landmark victory
First quarter was worried this was going to be an Edinburgh game. Munster came back and won well. Five points too. Hopefully this will put them above Edinburgh in the table!
Great away win, certainly making progress.
POM worryingly quiet again. Munster are a different team with Tadhg Beirne playing, he’s immense and should be given the captaincy. He leads by example.
Nash was the standout back, himself and Daly always looked threatening. Frisch will be box office, once he settles. Patterson excellent again.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: pom destroyed their lineout
@Tim Magner: I think the Edinburgh hooker destroyed their line-out. Mind you none of the hookers were too hot at line-out time.
Great win, good performance.
Squad depth crucial. Pack were immense
That first half showed the weaknesses still exist. Cut open too many times. Good finish though. Dower atmosphere overall!!
@Thomas Meaney: were you at it
@Thomas Meaney: eat my shorts
@Paddy Waggon: didn’t need to be. Was too obvious.
@Ger Lyons: nom nom!!
@Thomas Meaney: Scots went very quiet after Munster got the second try & near silent when we took the lead. I reckon they were watching in disbelief after that.
However we won’t get away with that type of start against the top teams.
Knashers
Can we convince comments to people with a triple digit IQ?
Knasher