Joe Canning announces retirement from intercounty hurling after 14 years with Galway
Joe Canning has confirmed his retirement from intercounty hurling, after 14 years with the Galway senior hurlers during which he won the 2017 All-Ireland title
Thursday 29 July 2021 06:54, UK
Galway great Joe Canning has confirmed he has retired from intercounty hurling.
The Portumna man confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon, following Galway's championship exit at the hands of Waterford on Saturday.
"I'm finished with Galway. I told the boys after the match on Saturday," he said.
"I had it in my head all year that this would probably be my last year.
"I don't want to overstay my welcome or be there as a token gesture.
"I rang the brother after, and was like 'people are going to continue wondering am I staying on or not'. I didn't want to make or any statements or anything like that. He just said 'listen if you don't want people wondering if you're retiring or not retiring in the next few months, just say it'.
"So yeah, I'm finished with Galway. That's the end of it."
Widely regarded as one of hurling's greatest ever players, Canning broke Henry Shefflin's all-time championship scoring record in Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The 2017 Hurler of the Year will continue with his club.
"Looking forward to it. We've got a league game next Monday. We'll get back in action for it, back training Thursday night," he noted.
"We've championship in a couple of weeks' time, and hopefully will play with them for the next number of years, as long as I can anyway."
Struggles with injuries in recent years have led the 32-year-old to the decision.
"Basically just injuries over the last number of years to be honest. Just my body, physically, I don't think I'm able to give as much as I probably should have," he explained.
"Just niggly little injuries this year alone, and obviously the serious injuries I've had over the last number of years.
"I don't want to go out on somebody else's terms. I want to go out on my own terms. I had it in my head all year that this would probably be my last year.
"Obviously I didn't think it would be Saturday but that's just the way the cookie crumbles. That's life and that's sport. You just have to get on with things and wish the boys the best of luck in the future."
I want to go out on my own terms.
Canning made his senior championship debut against Antrim in 2008, winning his first of five All-Star awards in his maiden season.
