Joe Canning
Template:Infobox GAA player3 Joe Canning (born 11 October 1988[1]) is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a full-forward for the Galway senior team. He joined the team during the 2008 National League and immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen.[2][3]
Canning is regarded as one of the modern greats of the game.[4] An All-Ireland medalist in both the minor and under-21 grades, he has won Leinster and National League winners' medals at senior level.
Canning has a number of personal achievements. He won the Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year award in his debut championship season in 2008 while he has also claimed two All-Star awards. In 2012 he was included at full-forward on the Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Century and on the best Galway team of the last fifty years.
At club level Canning is a three-time All-Ireland medalist with Portumna. In addition to this he has also won two Connacht medals and four county club championship medals.
Biography
Joe Canning was born in Portumna in 1988. His uncle, Frankie Canning, played minor hurling with Galway for three years in their ill-fated Munster Championship campaign in the 1960s and was a non-playing substitute when the Galway senior team were defeated by Offaly in the All-Ireland final of 1981. Canning is the brother of Séamus, Frank, Davy, Ollie, Ivan and Deirdre.[5][6] All but one of those siblings would go on to win an All-Ireland medal at either club or inter-county level in either hurling or camogie. Ollie played for the Galway senior hurlers, while Deirdre played for the county camogie team.[5][6] Joe's family instilled a love of hurling in him, and he was a talented underage hurler and rugby player.[5][6] He was educated locally and is currently a Business and Marketing student at Limerick Institute of Technology.[5][6]
Playing career
Club
Canning plays his club hurling with Portumna and has enjoyed much success on what has come to be regarded as one of the greatest club teams of the modern era.[7]
He made his senior debut as a fifteen year-old in 2004 as Portumna reached the final of the county championship. Athenry provided the opposition and eventually won the game by 0–15 to 0–13.
In 2005 Portumna qualified for the championship decider for a third successive year, with Canning lining out in his second county final. Canning scored 1-11 to give the club a 3-21 to 3-12 victory and a personal first county club championship winners' medal. He later added a Connacht medal as Four Roads were defeated in the provincial decider. Canning subsequently lined out in his first All-Ireland club final with Cork's Newtownshandrum providing the opposition. Even as a seventeen year old he played an instrumental role in Portumna's win, managing to score 1–6 in the game. As a result of this he was also presented with the Man of the Match award.[8]
A defeat by Loughrea in 2006 brought Portumna's championship campaign to an end, however, the team bounced back in 2007 with Canning winning a second set of county championship and Connacht winners' medals. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Portumna face Birr, the most successful team in the history of the club championship. Canning chipped in with ten points to secure a second All-Ireland winners' medal in three years.
In 2008 Canning won his third county club championship medal as Gort fell by 1-18 to 2-7.[9] Once again Portumna reached the All-Ireland decider, with Munster champions De La Salle providing the opposition. A huge 2-24 to 1-8 victory gave Canning his third All-Ireland winners' medal.[10]
Canning scored 1-10 from placed balls against Loughrea to win a third county championship medal, his fourth overall, in 2009.[11] Portumna subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland final and had the chance to make history by winning a third successive championship. A 1-19 to 0-17 defeat by Ballyhale Shamrocks, however, ended Portumna's great run of success.[12]
College
In 2007 Canning was in his first year as a member of the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) hurling team. He won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal that year as the National University of Ireland, Galway were defeated by 2-15 to 0-13 in the final.[13]
LIT hoped to claim historic back-to-back titles in 2008 and qualified for the final against the Waterford Institute of Technology. In spite of Canning scoring a remarkable 1–16 of LIT's total in a tightly contested final, he still ended up on the losing side.[14]
In spite of enjoying just one Fitzgibbon Cup success during his career, Canning was named at full-forward on the Fitzgibbon Cup centenary team in 2012.[15]
Minor & under-21
Canning first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Galway minor hurling team as a fifteen year-old in 2004. After having no competition in the provincial series the westerners reached the All-Ireland final that year where they played Kilkenny. That game ended in a 3–12 to 1–18 stalemate, however, Galway narrowly won the replay by 0–16 to 1–12 giving Canning a first All-Ireland winners' medal in the minor grade.[16]
Canning lined out in a second consecutive All-Ireland final in 2005, this time with Limerick providing the opposition. Another high-scoring game ensued, however, at the full-time whistle Galway were the victors by 3–12 to 0–17.[17]
In 2006 Canning was appointed captain of a Galway minor team attempting to capture an historic third All-Ireland title in-a-row. Furthermore, Canning was hoping to equal Jimmy Doyle's record of winning three minor championships in-a-row. On the day Galway were comprehensively defeated by 2–18 to 2–7 by a stronger Tipperary side.[18] Canning himself felt that the team could have performed better on the day:
"To me, the three-in-a-row thing wasn't in my mind. Our performance was what frustrated me that day. We didn't do ourselves justice. Tipperary blew us off the pitch basically".[5]
2006 also saw Canning make his debut on the Galway under-21 hurling team. He came on as a substitute in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny, however, in spite of scoring 2–4, with 2–3 coming from play and ending up as the game's top scorer, Galway were easily defeated in a one sided contest.[19]
In 2007 Canning again was a key member of the under-21 team as Galway finally captured the All-Ireland winners' medal by defeating Dublin in the final.
Canning's last two seasons with the under-21 team saw Galway face defeat at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.[20][21]
Senior
After his exploits at minor and under-21 levels the call frequently came for Canning to join the Galway senior team. He was a late call up to the team for the Tribesmen's make or break All-Ireland quarter-final against Kilkenny in 2006. After some deliberation Canning turned down the offer choosing instead to concentrate on his role as captain of the minor team.[22] The seniors lost the game which led to the eventual departure of manager Conor Hayes. Canning declined to join the senior team again in 2007, however, it was expected that he would finally join up with the team for Ger Loughnane's second year in charge as manager in 2008. Canning remained silent on the issue and refused to commit himself until after the completion of the club championship.[23] After that All-Ireland club victory several players were invited to join the panel, with Loughnane confirming after Galway's National Hurling League victory over Limerick that Canning was one of a number of players that had accepted.[24]
Canning went on to make his senior debut in the National League semi-final against Cork, and featured again in the final against Tipperary. Galway were defeated by a strong Tipperary side but Canning's second-half performance was singled out for praise.
His championship debut came several months later against Antrim in the first round of the qualifiers. Canning finished as the game's top scorer in the Galway victory with a tally of 2–6, 1–4 of which came from play.[25] Canning was again top scorer in the second round with nine points (five from play).[26] Galway, however, then exited the championship after a two-point defeat against Cork, despite an impressive display by Canning in which he scored both Galway's goals and twelve of their fifteen points.[27] His performances later earned him a coveted All-Star award while he was also named Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year. In 2009 Canning was nominated for the Young Hurler of the year award and also an all-star. He won the all star but it was Noel McGrath who received the Young Hurler award. Canning was also awarded the Halifax GPA Fair Play award for hurling in 2009.[28]
In May 2010, he scored 1–5 as Galway won the 2010 National Hurling League with a 2–22 to 1–17 win against Cork at Semple Stadium.[29]
Canning hit 1-10 in the 2012 Leinster final where Galway shocked the defending All-Ireland champions 2-21 to 2-11 Canning winning man of the match.
Personal
In September 2010, Canning was appointed an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland.[30]
Honours
Team
- Portumna
- All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship (3): 2006, 2008, 2009
- Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 2005, 2007
- Galway Senior Club Hurling Championship (4): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Limerick Institute of Technology
- Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 2007
- Galway
- Leinster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2012
- National Hurling League (1): 2010
- All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2007
- All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (2): 2004, 2005
Individual
- Awards
- All Stars Young Hurler of the Year (1): 2008
- All-Star Awards (2): 2008, 2009
- Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Century: 1912-2012
- Best Galway team of the last fifty years: 1962-2012
External links
References
- ^ "Hurling coursing in their veins". Irish Independent. 22 February 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
- ^ "Canning handed Galway debut". Hogan Stand website. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ "Joe Canning stars on debut as Galway thrash Antrim". The Herald. 28 June 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ "To watch Joe Canning hurl is to witness sporting genius". Munster Express. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "'Hurling is my life'". Irish Independent. 2008-06-28. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ a b c d "TRIBE'S CALL TO ARMS". Sunday Tribune. 2008-02-24. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ McIntyre, John (18 November 2009). "Portumna pulling further clear of the chasing pack". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Canning duo lift Portumna". Irish Independent. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
- ^ "Portumna double hailed by Canning". Irish Independent. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
- ^ "RTÉ Sport: Portumna 2-24 De La Salle 1-08". RTÉ Sport. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Portumna power to another title". Irish Examiner. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
- ^ "Ballyhale Shamrocks end Portumna's reign". RTÉ Sport. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Canning canes NUIG". Hogan Stand website. 11 March 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Reid is the hero for WIT". Irish Independent. 2 March 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Century Selected". GAA website. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Galway glee as minors turn on style in epic final". Irish Independent. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
- ^ "Galway glee as goals put paid to gutsy Limerick". Irish Independent. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
- ^ "Tipp break Galway hearts in MHC final". RTÉ Sport. 3 September 2006-. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Canning scares Cats". Irish Independent. 20 August 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
- ^ "Hogans put Kilkenny on the brink of clean sweep". Irish Independent. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
- ^ "Magic moments as Clare prove extra special". Irish Examiner. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ^ "Canning turns down seniors". www.hoganstand.com. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ "Canning remains coy on Galway future". Setanta Sports. 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ "Canning boost for Galway". Setanta Sports. 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ "Feast and famine all in one". Irish Independent. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ "Galway 1–26 Laois 0-09". RTÉ Sport. 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ "Galway 2–15 Cork 0–23". RTÉ Sport. 2009-07-19. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ "Canning and Earley win Fair Play awards". RTÉ Sport. 2009-12-088. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Galway 2–22 Cork 1–17". RTÉ Sport. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
- ^ TV3 – Video – Sport, Michael O'Neill on the FAI. Tv3.ie. Retrieved on 2012-04-22.