Ger Loughnane torches the Canning brothers as war of words over Galway hurling continues

The fiery former manager was particularly merciless after the Tribesmen blew yet another half time lead to lose to Kilkenny in last Sunday's Leinster final, calling the Galway players 'gutless' in his column in The Star the following day.

Loughnane, who managed the team for two seasons between 2006 and 2008, was then taken to task for his comments by former Galway player Ollie Canning, who had a pop at the Clare legend's record with the westerners.

"When Ger was in Galway, a 10-point loss to Kilkenny was probably the highlight of it," Canning told Newstalk's Off The Ball.

Loughnane has responded with a cutting critique of the Canning family's commitment to Galway hurling during his time in charge.

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In today's Star, Loughnane remembers the aforementioned mauling at the hands of the Cats. Two late goals gave Brian Cody's men a handsome win but the game was in the balance until the Galway defence was ruthlessly exposed late on.

Ollie Canning, a stalwart in the Tribesmen's rearguard at the time, was missing that day due to a disagreement over the end of the Galway county final. Likewise, his brother and Galway star Joe Canning was also absent, with forward opting to take time away from hurling following the same county final.

Loughnane swiftly cut down the Canning brothers for their absence.

"What is laughable is that one man that could have prevented that collapse was Ollie Canning himself," Loughnane told the Star.

"But he wouldn't play that year because of some perceived injustice following a stormy county final where Loughrea beat Portumna. Joe wouldn't play either, giving the excuse that he was going on a world tour. I think it extended as far as Limerick."

The two-time All-Ireland-winning manager went on to brand the elder Canning's actions as a 'self-indulgent sulk'.