Canning informed media at a press event in the last few minutes, citing injuries. He had informed team mates of his decision in the wake of their defeat to Waterford.

https://twitter.com/depboyle/status/1420349293777629186

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3510 - 28/07/2021 12:59:03    2365049

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11848 - 28/07/2021 13:10:59    2365058

It seems like only 4 or 5 years ago when was playing minor.

Took a long time for Galway to figure out how best to use him. Was at his best from about 2015 ro 2018. Looked like he'd win 2 or 3 more All Irelands after 2017 but just didn't work out. Can at least not be in the "greatest to never win an All Ireland" category.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 28/07/2021 13:11:54    2365060

Its been a privilege seeing you play Joe. (a neighbour from Gortanumera)

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 28/07/2021 13:13:08    2365063

Best of luck Joe ... one of the all time greats!

Punter72007 (Wexford) - Posts: 315 - 28/07/2021 13:13:18    2365064

Best wishes Joe. Thanks for all your brilliance over the years. Never saw a better hurler.

Gentleman too.

CC2020 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 173 - 28/07/2021 13:20:13    2365066

A massive loss to Hurling, that said we we're the privileged ones to see him play. Joe Canning brought smiles to the faces of so many. Thanks for the memories :)

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1909 - 28/07/2021 13:24:55    2365069

Thanks for the magic Joe. One of the best to ever play the game.

dakid (Australia) - Posts: 284 - 28/07/2021 13:28:27    2365072

A wonderful hurler and role model for young people. His skill, vision, power and score taking ability were amongst the best I have ever seen. His winning point against Tipp in 2017 will live long in the memory. It has been a great privilege to have seen him from the day he won his first minor title in 2004, his first club in 2006 to the day he hit the equalising free kick under the Hogan Stand in the All Ireland final of 2012 to the day when he finally reached the promised land in 2017. Thanks for the memories Joe. They'll last a lifetime. Hopefully you have more great days ahead of you with Portumna.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 28/07/2021 13:30:22    2365073

Where do the years go. What a great player and a class act.
I remember him scoring three goals in a league game against Dublin where he was unstoppable.

After the match he was pucking around a ball with a kid about 6 or 7 and chatting to a few of the crowd.

I thought at the time and since how lucky we are to have these amazing sportspeople who can inspire and entertain us but never forget their roots.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1517 - 28/07/2021 13:40:02    2365077

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 28/07/2021 13:40:38    2365078

best wishes and good health to joe

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1802 - 28/07/2021 13:49:58    2365081

One of the greatest,you brought so much enjoyment to so many people with your skill,enjoy your retirement Joe.

mooncat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 533 - 28/07/2021 13:50:54    2365082

Sad to see him go, loved watching him, he will be missed. I am sure he will be successful in whatever area he works.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4896 - 28/07/2021 13:58:05    2365086

A privilege, a joy, just the amount of good days out he's brought us. He carried us through god knows how many games. The greatest I've ever seen play. What a player abs what a man. The goat.

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 28/07/2021 14:02:13    2365088

First time I saw him was in 2006 under the Cusack Stand, putting over frees under pressure as a 17 year old to help Portumna win the AI Club title. I knew he was special at that point. The same year he was brilliant up front for Galway against KK in the U21 AI Semi Final. You'd have thought he was in his final year, but had 3 years left at U21 at that stage. Definitely a player for the big stage. Delighted he got his AI senior medal in 17.

TippRed (Tipperary) - Posts: 42 - 28/07/2021 14:04:46    2365090

A great player and equally great person. Our game lucky to have him.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 28/07/2021 14:36:24    2365103

An icon of the game of hurling has retired,how we all wished for him to win an All Ireland senior medal and he finally did it in 2017.Looking back most hurling people would have expected Galway to win many more senior All Irelands during Joe's time playing but for whatever reason it didn't happen.It was never Joes fault.He carried a huge responsibility from a young age playing with Galway.So many times I went to Croke Park over the years willing Galway and especially Joe on to win an ALL Ireland.Its always sad to see one of the greats retire but time waits for no one.Thanks Joe for your unmeasurable contribution to the game of hurling and the pleasure you brought to hurling people from all counties.Enjoy your retirement and hopefully after your club commitments we might see you contributing again through coaching,you have so much to offer.

ONdeDITCH (Limerick) - Posts: 873 - 28/07/2021 14:38:19    2365108

Best wishes to Joe on his retirement. Its hard to judge eras and say who was the greatest but I have nt seen too many better hurlers than Joe. Tough loss for Galway but a loss for hurling in general. An absolute joy to watch at his best.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3676 - 28/07/2021 14:45:07    2365111

One of those (few) guys you'll be lucky in 20 years time to say you saw in the flesh.

An all time great, an icon of the game, and simply a joy to watch.

Put more fear in the opposition when approaching the sideline that Rory Delap!!

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 28/07/2021 14:46:44    2365112