Joe Canning lamented Galway’s inability to deal with Kilkenny sweeper Richie Reid after their Leinster SHC final defeat.

And he believes their lack of action in this regard will have disappointed manager Micheál Donoghue more than anything else.

“I think (the management) did notice it, but I don't think the players noticed it so quickly. They were hitting some aimless ball down on top of [Reid],” the former Hurler of the Year noted during RTÉ’s coverage of the Croke Park decider.

“I think that will probably annoy him. Sometimes it's very hard to get messages on here, but, at the same time, players should be well able to see what's in front of them and talk to each other.

“The half forward line should be telling the midfield and half back line 'lads there's a sweeper here behind us, go short or run it a little bit more'. It probably annoyed him that it took a little bit longer to get used to how Kilkenny were set up.

“When Galway have the chance to get rid of the ball up the field and then get turned over, that's the sickening part really. That's the disappointing part that I think Micheál will reflect on and the players will reflect on."

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