LAST UPDATE | 28 Jul 2021
THE END OF a remarkable hurling career, announced publicly in striking circumstances.
Grouped media interviews are generally standard, run-of-the-mill affairs. Even more so now, in Covid times, with dodgy internet connections, audio issues, and the pixels of Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
More often than not, they go off without a hitch. A box ticking exercise of sorts, devoid of major newslines.
Today’s offering with now-retired Galway great Joe Canning proved the exception to the rule.
The Bord Gáis Energy 2021 #HurlingToTheCore Media Day is one that will forever be remembered, a very 2020/2021 way for one of the very best to bow out.
It was a routine opening as the Tribe talisman fielded the usual questions after his side’s All-Ireland championship exit: reflections on the Waterford defeat at the weekend, how the result was “very frustrating” and “hard to put a finger on”, and other general hurling discussion.
Then came the question every journalist on the call was most interested in, particularly given this morning’s interview on Off The Ball AM — “People want to retire me,” he said within, “I’ll leave it for another day”.
I heard you on Off The Ball this morning. You’re not listening to any of the talk of some pundits saying you’re already finished?
Canning paused, and drew breath.
“Ehmmm…”
Another pause.
“No. I am.”
He went on to explain that he was humming and hawing about publicly saying it, having informed his team-mates of his retirement decision in the dressing room after the Waterford game.
A phonecall with his brother following that Off The Ball interview ultimately made up his mind about telling the wider public and putting an end to the will he or won’t he go again? debate.
He ultimately concluded: “I’m finished with Galway, that’s the end of it. I should have said it earlier on but I’ve said it now anyway. That’s it.”
Clearly still hurting from the championship exit and of course, this decision, the 32-year-old Portumna star went on to cite injury struggles as the main reason behind it.
Through a glittering senior career which began in scintillating fashion in 2008 and yielded an All-Ireland title in 2017, a Hurler of the Year award that same year, and five All-Star accolades, it’s something he has always had to deal with. Of late, that talk heightened.
“It’s physically, injury-wise (that’s the problem). I want to be able to train the whole time. I’ve had a couple of serious injuries over the last number of years. Even this year in the league; thumb injury, my hamstring went, my finger, my heel; that’s just to name a few.
I don’t want to just be part-time and training the odd time, I want to be offering the same as everybody else. I just don’t want to overstay my welcome either, don’t [want to] be there on reputation or as a token gesture.
“It was in me that I want to go out on my own terms and not have anybody else make the decision for me. That was always a thing in my own head from when I was young, that I’d always go out on my own terms.”
“I don’t think there’s any major regrets anyway,” he also noted at one point.
***
The curtain ultimately came down in Thurles, as Canning informing those he had soldiered with that this was the end of the road for him after the 1-30 to 3-20 qualifier defeat to the Déise.
That same day, on what would be his final appearance in the maroon jersey, he overtook Kilkenny great Henry Shefflin as the leading all-time scorer in championship hurling, with a remarkable 27-485 from 62 games.
In the Semple Stadium dressing room afterwards, he told his team he was finished.
“As I told them, I wasn’t expecting to tell them. I knew it was going to happen this year. I just didn’t think, to be honest, it would be Saturday evening, if I’m straight up about it.
“You go into a championship match and if you’re not expecting to win, you might as well not tog out in the first place. I had nothing prepared really.
Everybody dreams of this lovely way to go out and in my own head, it was going to be 22 August and hopefully win an All-Ireland, but that’s not to be.
“It was emotional enough, to be honest. I don’t know if they expected it or not but it is what it is. Life moves on. That’s hurling, that’s sport, you give it as good as you get until you think you can’t give it the same as everybody else. For me, I had made the decision a good while ago.”
Not only were his team-mates or manager, Shane O’Neill, presumably surprised; his nearest and dearest in his family were too. Before he headed for the dressing rooms, he had a chat with them.
“I went over to the stand, I told Dad. He was there with Ivan, the brother, and nephews. Mam was on the phone as well. I don’t think they even expected it.
“As I said, I didn’t…”
Another very 2020/2021 Microsoft Teams call interruption, as he’s barked over.
“Sorry there’s a dog here in the house going mad! As I said, I didn’t expect it myself for Saturday but it is what it is. That was the time to do it.”
Afterwards, he and the lads stayed together. Living in Limerick since last October, they used the city as a pre- and post-match base. They were in The Strand beforehand and afterwards, while a few returned to Canning’s house to stay the night after a few drinks.
Everybody met up in Galway the following day.
Reflecting on his career overall is something he hasn’t done just yet. A strange one, that’s for “another couple of Christmas’ time when you’re having a few pints with the family or something like that.”
“I’m not one for really looking back at things yet anyway,” he added. “I’ll probably do it in another few months or years.
“Probably getting to hurl with Ollie with Galway was a big moment and Jack, my nephew, was in with us this year. We didn’t get to hurl together obviously in championship or league but just to be on the panel and training together was huge.”
Family and club is where it all starts, and where it all ends.
He’s looking forward to getting back with Portumna, heading to training on Friday night and preparing for a league game next Monday. Then, of course, it’s all about club championship.
He’ll be on the outside looking in at Galway, but he’ll have plenty more to keep him busy.
“What happens now going forward?” he asks himself.
“I just hope I don’t become a Twitter expert like a lot of ex-players in the last few years, managers and stuff like that!
“Nah, just carry on living as normal as I can. without obviously going training with Galway and going up the road from Limerick three or four times a week. That’s basically it, go up to Portumna now instead. Train and play with them as much as I can, play a bit more golf and try and get the handicap down a bit more!”
He’s “very comfortable” that he’s planned out post-inter-county life away from sport, too.
“I have a lot of business interests and can give them a lot more time,” he nods.
But at the end of the day, it will always come back to his one true love of hurling.
“Even the club, even Portumna, just give them a bit more time and stay for as many years as I can. Train young lads and stuff like that with my club. That’s what I want to do in the next couple of years.”
We’ll be hearing about the great Joe Canning for plenty of time to come yet.
The Joe Show doesn’t stop here.
***
Joe Canning was speaking as a #HurlingToTheCore ambassador. You can watch GAAGAABox on Bord Gáis Energy’s #HurlingToTheCore YouTube channel throughout the Senior Hurling Championship.
I’m supporting the Boks lads. Let’s hope for one great final
@WillKeepTheW: same it would be amazing to see Kolisi lift the trophy.
@WillKeepTheW: Live:https://tinyurl.com/y68vph5p
@Md Sohan Khan: its on free to air you pair in the arse
@Doire: You’re talking to a bot lad!
Did anyone notice the RTÉ commentators talking about the fantastic weather that has accompanied this tournament. Eh, Typhoon lads?
@Ian Synnott: Live:https://tinyurl.com/y68vph5p
@Ian Synnott: I’m in Japan here for it. Weather has been great one bad typhoon that made landfall. All that was needed was to sit in for a day and safe in the city areas. Walking around in a t shirt at 24 degrees yesterday in Nov
To echo Brian O’Driscoll’s sentiments- I hope expansive entertaining rugby wins. If S.A. try to grind out the attritional bang ‘n bash rugby that we saw in the semi-final I’d prefer to see the Eng v NZ semi-final rugby brand win handsomely. Despite being an old Hibernian I’ve nothing too much against England winning if so be it.
@Md Sohan Khan: alright like go away
@David O Callaghan: in fairness, boks are better team so far
Best of luck South Africa!!!
England all over the shop. The New Zealand match was a one off.
Cmon England
13 point Bok lead with under fifteen minutes left. Wow, didn’t see this scenario. Unbelievable.
@David O Callaghan: Indeed! Clearly Ireland would have clobbered the Boks! Haha!
To think we could have been in the local today cheering on Ireland – according to the media not so long ago :-)
Congrats South Africa
England’s win over New Zealand win was built off a dominant forward display and SA are on top in the pack so far. As long as SA are controlling the pace of the game and where it’s being played England will struggle as the Springboks can just turn the screw with their monster pack and blitz defence. The issue for SA is they were so dominant early doors but haven’t put up scores and they’ve a number of lads struggling with injury already
@Eddie Hekenui: Boks power and defence totally shutting down England so far. They just can’t get a foothold in the game but with their back 3 they’ll only need one chance to turn their fortunes around. Marler making a big impact in the scrum. Koch and Kitshoff aren’t the same power scrummagers so England might be able to right the ship
@Eddie Hekenui: totally out forwarded england also played garces and slowed the ball at every opportunity to prevent eng getting on the front foot. well done sa
Long evening for Dan Cole.
Why do the English always build them selves up to be better than they actually are, a country of bottlers
@dan o keeffe: Ah don’t be bitter. Have a lager for a change.
@dan o keeffe: because they’re English and always think they’re better than everyone else.
@dan o keeffe: Yeah very true, thy should look at Ireland, we never do that.
@dan o keeffe: abit unfair at least they have got to finals and have won a world cup, we are the real bottlers of world cups.
@Bluepoolroad: far from bitter my friend, england losing is nearly better than Ireland winning…..I’m delighted they got destroyed men v boys today
@dan o keeffe: the only thing that built them up was their performances. They were outperformed today
SA Best team by far on the day they were magnificent- Eddie Jones will be very sour now
Another in a long line of teams to have shot the full load in the semifinal.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: I would rather shoot the load all over the place in a semi-final than constantly struggle to get an erection once the group stages finish.
Can’t wait to see the puss of Eddie Jones after this.
@Tim Quigley: Two time loser! Still he humbled NZ, and now RFU! Not bad ;)
There won’t be a cow milked in KwaZulu-Natal tonight
South Africa playing typical cup rugby helped by refeering of the scrum
England in serious bother now
Garces ignores possible forward pass,revenge for Brexit!!
@tom whelan: Did TMO spot it or just you?
YES!!!!!
England by 4
@Coco86:
@Coco86:
@Coco86:
@Coco86:
What a step by Koble!!
This is an abysmal game so far. During the anthems, naturally enough as soon as God save the Queen comes on, I’m saying, come on the Boks. After watching the actual game, I’m desperately hoping England can turn it around but not looking likely. Didn’t realise South Africa have never scored a try in any of their finals, jaysus….
@Michael Garvey: There’s your try. Let’s have a couple from England.
“Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, Lady Diana, ! (we have beaten them all, we have beaten them all!). Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Maggie Thatcher … your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!”
…good old fashioned Towns Cup rugby is alive and well….
England’s backs are playing poorly. If they can get that right they can still win it in the 2nd half. The South African scrum half is really poor and ponderous. If he was quicker/better South Africa would be already be out of sight
I love it. What a result.
Don’t cancel the victory parade. Just slow it down a bit.