Ollie Canning believes it is hard to look past brother Joe for Hurler of the Year

Michael Corry

When it comes to picking hurler of the year, you are damned if you do, damned if you don’t, especially given the quality of games in 2018.

According to Galway legend Ollie Canning, most people don’t even know who picks the winner.

“It gets an awful lot of criticism, but half the people I talk to they don’t even know who picks it.”

The truth is, the players pick the overall winner. Which is probably the best scenario given the fact that they are the one’s competing against each other all season.

They are in a better position to choose who stood out over the course of a season. Canning believes we need to trust that the players make the right decision.

“You have to trust the players.”

“It is hard to know who will win, the good thing is the players vote for it.”

For the Galway legend, he believes it is hard to look past brother Joe given his performances throughout the season.

“Look, I be as critical of Joe as anyone but I think he had a great year this year. Himself and Padraic Mannion. I think Cian Lynch had a solid year, but I don’t know if he is at the same level as the lads.”

The Portumna corner back believes there is one player who can feel hard done by after the announcement of the final three and that was Limerick’s All-Ireland match winner Graeme Mulcahy.

“Graeme Mulcahy I think can find himself, Graeme can find himself unlucky.”

In what was a fantastic season of hurling, the overall star of the championship is proving difficult to choose. Alongside Graeme Mulcahy, many believe Clare full forward John Conlon should also have picked up a nomination.

Joe Canning picked up the award in 2017 after Galway ended a 28-year wait for Liam MacCarthy.

Whilst some believe the award may have been given to Joe as a token for his years of service, his performances in 2018 surpassed that of last year meaning he is in prime position to pick up his second award.