Ollie Canning admits it has been difficult for Portumna to prepare properly for Sunday's Galway SHC final against Gort.

The reigning All-Ireland champions haven't had a competitive game since they defeated Craughwell in the semi-final by three points two months ago due to the delay caused to the championship by Turloughmore's appeal. Gort, in contrast, have been involved in quarter and semi-final action in recent weeks against Ardrahan and Beagh respectively.

"It is a very long time since we played Craughwell in the county semi-final and we have only played two league matches since then. With most counties finished their own championships and county teams not in action either, good challenge games are very hard to get," the veteran Portumna captain explained to the Galway Advertiser.

"It has been difficult to plan and prepare for a county final when we did not know when we were playing. The delay did seem to go on for a very long time.

"But we are where we are, and we hope we are going well. Mike Monaghan [manager] and Noel Larkin [coach] have worked really hard with us over the past few months to try to keep us fresh and focussed, and we will need to be both this Sunday."

The Sky Sports analyst, who is seeking to win his seventh Galway SHC medal, believes a good start is imperative.

"Gort did very well against Beagh for long periods and it is an advantage to them that they played championship hurling two weeks ago. They know their form, whereas we are unsure of ours.

"We will need to start well and not find ourselves behind after the first 20 minutes. Thankfully we have no injuries, and have a full squad to pick from which is a big plus, especially as we are down some very talented men from last year's squad due to retirement."

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