Galway hurling manager Micheal Donoghue is poised for a major boost with his most versatile player Iarla Tannian set to be available for the first time this summer when they take on Tipperary on Sunday week.
The return of the 31-year-old, who has been hampered by injury all year, is a perfect boost as they bid to reach their second All-Ireland final in a row.
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The Ardrahan clubman can play in defence, midfield or in the forwards and his return will give Donoghue options as he prepares to oust a Tipperary side he worked with for the past few seasons as part of Eamon O’Shea’s management team.
And, in a further boost, Donoghue said this morning he expects to be selecting from a full squad with Conor Cooney now close to full fitness as well after also dealing with a series of injury set-backs.
Tannian, a key figure in Galway’s march to the All-Ireland final last year, was ruled out of his expected return against Clare when he suffered a hamstring injury in training ten days before the quarter-final victory.
“Conor has been massive, in fairness to him he has gone through two or three serious injuries. The longer we are in it the better he is going to be getting" - Micheal Donoghue
“We are not too bad right now. There are a few niggles but everything is looking really positive that we will have a full deck to choose from.
“Iarla has had a few knocks but in fairness to him he is pushing really hard now for the last ten days or so. He has massive experience.
"We have been fortunate enough this year. The more experienced players keep pushing and pushing and driving on the young fellas.
“Tannian is one of those. He has worked really hard now to get back in. He was injured for the game against Clare.
"He has been in the 26 but he has just had a few niggles but thankfully the last two weeks have gone really well for him,” said Donoghue.
Galway were comprehensive 2-17 to 0-17 victors over Clare in the quarter-final and are set to be further boosted by Cooney’s return to full fitness.
Cooney was struck down by injury in recent seasons but having recovered from breaking the same foot twice, Donoghue says the St Thomas’ forward is getting fitter with every match.
“Conor has been massive, in fairness to him he has gone through two or three serious injuries. The longer we are in it the better he is going to be getting.
"Even since January he hadn’t a lot of fitness work and he has worked really hard.
“He is a real intelligent player. He is a big player for us. To be successful he is going to be an integral part of it.
"It is great first and foremost for himself to be back at this level. With every week he is just getting stronger and stronger.
“He would be the first to admit as well, his match fitness needs to improve. But he is working really hard and with every training session, with every week that passes he is just getting stronger and stronger.
“It’s great to have him there. He is a class player and a big personality in the group as well. It is great that he is available to us.”
