Ollie Canning has admitted that his time with the Galway hurlers is almost certainly over.
Canning, a top class corner back and the older brother of star forward Joe, had previously retired after a dispute with the county’s Hurling Board in 2006 but returned in 2008 and has been a key member of the panel again since.
However, the 34-year-old now says that Sunday’s gutting All-Ireland SHC quarter-final loss to Tipperary will almost definitely have been his last outing in maroon, the Tribesmen coming out on the wrong side of the 3-17 to 3-16 modern day classic.
The Portumna man, who debuted for Galway in 1996, said he gathered with his team-mates after the defeat as he felt it would be his last chance to do so, but says that – while he is walking away – the current Galway team’s days are only just beginning.
"I just wanted to get the guys together," he was quoted as saying by the Irish Independent.
"I might not sit in the dressing-room with them again. I've built up great friendships. It was an emotional time, there are great guys and great people in there. It was a funny enough situation. I wanted to say it to the lads first.
"In all probability that was my last game with Galway. I had said that at the start of the year. I doubt if I will be back.”
Canning will continue to play club hurling alongside his brother for Portumna. The defender already has three All-Ireland club medals to his name, though he has never got his hands on Liam McCarthy at county level.