The All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final wasn't long gettting going. Cork's Brian Turnbull scored a goal after 8 seconds. It was the start you wanted from what turned out to be an absolute classic of a Minor final.
In the end, Galway were two point winners, prevailing 2-17 - 2-15.
Galway stayed in it after that early disappointment, battling away in the first half, and despite conceding a second goal, went into the break just three points down.
Then it was time for the Joe Jack show.
Having been held scoreless in the first half, Jack Canning's teammates stepped up around him. Conor Molloy in particular was fantastic, scoring seven points, while fellow corner forward Donal Mannion stood out throughout. Canning even described his first half as "terrible", but when it mattered, he turned it on.
In the end, he finished with 2-2, getting all four scores in the second half. His first goal, was a lightning finish on the back of a brilliant Mannion solo run. His vision to get a step ahead of two defenders to receive the pass was a thing of beauty before an rocket finish.
Jack Canning with an incredibly clean strike to goal for Galway. Maybe not the last J Canning goal of the day
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) September 3, 2017
His second goal was a little bit controversial. Cork voices rang out on Twitter about a square ball. Given Cork had a similar goal disallowed just minutes after, it's a hard one to swallow for them.
From Galway's point of view though, this was magnificent full forward play. He appeared to enter the square with the ball, caught it over his marker, turned, and buried it in the back of the net. It was unstoppable.
Jack Canning a serious talent what a goal
— Eóin McLaughlin (@EoinMcL_1967) September 3, 2017
The two points he added over the course of the half only added to all round display, for which Cork had no answer.
His display might not have been perfect for 60 minutes, but when needed, he stepped up and was the difference between the teams, after a great display by two great, young teams.
Absolute classic Minor final in Croke Park. Galway win by 2. Jack Canning man of the match, but what a game all round. Two great teams.
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 3, 2017
Congratulations to MOTM Jack Canning & to the 2017 Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Champions @Galway_GAA #GAAThisIsMajor pic.twitter.com/Rnd1kTMqCt
— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) September 3, 2017
The nephew of Joe Canning has probably been the player of the minor championship up until now, and in the second half of the final, he confirmed himself as one of the most exciting young players we've seen in many years.
He’s a big boy alright, he’s 6’ 3". He’s bigger than me so he’s putting me to shame a little bit.
In 2005, Joe led Galway to an All-Ireland minor title, announcing himself to the GAA world, scoring 1-3 in that game. His own brother Ollie would play in the senior final later that day. It's hard to not see the parallels in today's display.
Canning is also a serious rugby player, having played two years of Leinster Senior Cup for Roscrea in the last two years. For now though, it's the hurling world that are excited about the emergence of another huge talent named Canning.
Lads a cracking rugby player too - he may yet go the Muldoon route
— Liam G (@wp_rathead) September 3, 2017
We'll see if his uncle Joe can complete the job for the family, for Portumna, and for Galway later on this afternoon.
