GALWAY HURLING manager Anthony Cunningham last night sought to clear up any misunderstanding over Joe Canning’s recent remarks regarding Henry Shefflin. The Portumna man alluded to Shefflin seeking a free from the referee and said it was “not sportsmanlike”. Cunningham rejected the idea Canning’s comments were orchestrated by the Galway camp.
“That’s not where any of we three guys come from or any of the players and for someone to think that is disappointing, from our point of view. So there was no set up.
“But in the context of that whole interview Joe was actually praising Henry Shefflin and it is something we want from our players is to lead like that. And it was the finest example of leadership that you could see and through his execution he dragged Kilkenny into that game and wanted the ball so much. And we have asked our players to show leadership like that.
Henry – his record speaks for itself and we may not see his like again.”
He also laughed off the sideline confrontation between himself and Kilkenny manager Brian Cody following the injury-time free which Canning converted to bring the game to a replay.
“To me, I did nothing bad. Maybe I shouldn’t have used that gesture but I didn’t fall out with anyone. It was a very short exchange. Kilkenny were disputing with the linesmen. I’d have the height of time for Brian Cody and the management and players. I said nothing. Brian didn’t either – it was: ‘that’s a free, that’s not a free.’
“. . . . Brian and I shook hands afterwards and he was slagging me: he said that he was going to be the bad boy out of this. I said that he is a big enough boy now and was able to handle it.”
