Galway's Johnny Glynn and Joseph Cooney not affected by stints abroad

Jonathan Glynn has returned from New York in time for championship

Galway duo Johnny Glynn and Joseph Cooney are sharp as ever despite their stints abroad, according to team-mate Niall Burke.

Glynn and Cooney spent the winter in New York and Australia respectively, but are back in the squad in time for the championship.

Although they were isolated from the squad, it doesn't seem to have affected their preparations.

"They were training away hard and following, essentially, the same programme as us. They were just doing it individually rather than collectively," Burke explained.

"They're still very much a part of the group albeit they might be in a different part of the world.

"It's important to support players in other things they want to do outside of hurling and I think the Galway management have been very supportive of that.

"It benefits the team as a whole to know that they have the trust in players to do things outside of sport."

Niall Burke was speaking at Centra's launch of the GAA All Ireland Hurling Championship

Both players are back in Ireland and are in the mix to feature against Wexford on Sunday.

"They're back now fully integrated into the panel," Burke said.

"It's just a case of getting back in doing some collective training. But they're in really good shape and ready to go."

The Tribesmen's championship preparations were rocked last month with the news that Joe Canning is sidelined until mid-July.

However, it is now up to the other players in the squad to fill the void left by the 2017 Hurler of the Year.

"We've a 35-man panel and it gives an opportunity to someone else and at this stage it's unfortunate for Joe but we have to move on and the team is only as good as everyone that is on the pitch," the Oranmore-Maree club man added.

"There are 35 lads, and everyone is pushing to get on the team, and on the match-day 26.

"He (Canning) is around the dressing room and he's doing his rehab as well so he's still very much part of the group."

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Following their opening-round win over Carlow, focus now turns to Sunday's meeting with Wexford. Given that their final two games against Kilkenny and Dublin are away, the home clash with the Yellowbellies takes on huge significance for the Tribesmen.

"It's important to win every game, especially your home games," Burke said. "[If you lose], you're putting yourselves under pressure. We know it's going to be a huge test for us on Sunday, and something that we're getting ready for and very much looking forward to."

Sky Sports' live GAA coverage continues on Saturday, May 25 as Mayo face Roscommon in the Connacht Football Championship on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm, with build-up starting on the red button from 6pm.

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