Inside hurling icon Joe Canning's life away from sport with wife, family and retirement

Joe Canning is one of the most recognisable names in hurling - the legend retired back in 2021 and we have taken a look at his career and personal life away from the sport

Joe Canning is undoubtedly one of the most phenomenal hurlers to grace the pitch.

Since debuting in 2008, the Galway legend has not only clinched an All-Ireland Senior Championship but has also been honoured with five All-Star awards.

He left behind a record-breaking legacy when he retired in 2021, including earning three Leinster Senior Championships and two National Hurling Leagues. He snagged the prestigious Hurler of the Year in 2017, not to mention Young Hurler of the Year right at the start of his senior career.

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Here's everything you need to know about his career and his life away from sport.

Age

Hoe was born in October 1988.

Retirement

Joe decided to hang up his inter-county boots on Wednesday July 28 2021, aged just 32. "That's it, finished with Galway now," he declared during a Bord Gais Energy media event.

"I told the boys after in the dressing room, that was it, so have to keep my word a bit on that one.

"I will keep playing with Portumna, but that's me finished with Galway."

Injuries played a key role in his decision to retire. "It's injuries and stuff like that. I had a couple of fairly serious ones over the year and even this year alone I tore a hamstring after the Waterford league game and didn't realise I had it for a few weeks," Joe explained.

"Just a little nick, I'd a partial tear in my thumb as well. My finger, my heel, yeah there are four or five injuries alone this year, niggly ones, so yeah it wasn't getting any easier for me."

"I just feel the time is right. I don't want to stay around too long either."

"I think that is a bad way as well, just being there for the sake of it."

Honours

1 All-Ireland Senior Championship.

3 Leinster Senior Championships.

5 All-Stars.

2 National Hurling Leagues.

Hurler of the Year in 2017.

Young Hurler of Year in 2008.

Club Career

Joe won five Galway titles and four All-Ireland finals in the Club Championship with Portumna between 2006 and 2014.

Marriage to Megan Hoare

Joe tied the knot with long-time love Megan in Monaleen Church in County Limerick last year.

Megan looked incredible in a silky spaghetti-strap dress with a thigh-high split and a veil, while Joe was dapper in a black suit. The bridesmaids also stunned in olive green gowns.

Family life

Joe is the brother of Séamus, Frank, Davy, Ollie, Ivan and Deirdre.

Ollie played for and captained the Galway senior hurlers during a stellar career on the filed of play- winning four All Stars along the way.

His sister Deirdre played for the county camogie team.

Joe's mother Josephine was diagnosed with breast cancer and his father Sean was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both parents received the difficult health news within months of each other back in 2015.

What does Joe do?

Joe is a PR and business professional. He has also appeared as a pundit on RTÉ Sport's coverage of championship hurling.

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