Galway teenage sensation Joe Canning may quit hurling in protest at the treatment he received during last Sunday's controversial county final at Pearse Stadium. Loughrea defeated Portumna to end their reign as All-Ireland club champions, but the game was overshadowed by a number of unsavoury incidents which are likely to go unpunished as the Galway hurling board has no plans to carry out an investigation. And in another surprise development, Portumna coach Sean Treacy said he was also considering his position as a Galway hurling selector - just weeks after he was named in Ger Loughnane's backroom team. "If that's the way one of the finest young talents ever to emerge in Galway is going to be treated in a county final, what are we at?" asked Treacy. "I have to look at my own position as a Galway selector. Do I want to be involved with a county that stands over what happened on Sunday? Right now, I don't think I do." The former Galway full back was furious over what he regarded as a lack of protection afforded to his players, especially 18-year-old Canning who received eight stitches to his face after taking a heavy knock through his faceguard. "The way young Joe is feeling now, he may never play hurling again and who could blame him? He was butchered from start to finish. "The message was sent out loud and clear on Sunday - the day of the sledger who can do what he likes is back. "The way Joe was talking afterwards, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he quit hurling and took up rugby or some other sport where he'll be protected. "When you see a lad like Joe being walloped all over the place, there's something seriously wrong and I wouldn't be doing my duty if I didn't speak out," Treacy added. Tweet

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