In November 2015 Joe Canning sat on stage at the terminal Web Summit in Ireland and was quizzed on the ardent criticism he faced that year. They'd lost an All-Ireland final, failed to get over the line against Kilkenny and faced some judgement for it.
Canning took a deep breath of frustration, glanced at the audience and chirped bemusedly:
it's six inches from a pat on the back and a kick up the arse.
Fast-forward to December 2017 and Canning has gotten a lot more pats on the back than kicks up the arse. The Galway man secured an All-Ireland title, an All-Star and Player of the Year. He landed that crucial point to get them past Tipperary and into an All-Ireland final and landed 0-09 points in the final to aid his county end a 29-year famine.
Last night, Canning appeared on the Late Late Show and spoke frankly and honestly about his career and life in general. He scoffed at the idea of being known as 'Joe Canning the hurler' and discussed his business, restaurant and charity work.
“I’d love to be professional, definitely 100 per cent... but I wouldn’t change it” @JoeyCan88 on keeping the GAA an amateur game #latelate pic.twitter.com/QmRtNpCnQ2
— RTE One (@RTEOne) December 15, 2017
Canning is a Unicef Ireland goodwill ambassador and recently travelled to Aleppo, Syria as part of that. It was something that deeply affected him and he spoke in powerful terms about the humanitarian crisis currently unfolding there:
“She will never know who her family was, she will never know what age she was, she won’t be able to celebrate her birthday on any day” - @JoeyCan88 on a young girl he met while in Syria with @unicefireland and why he wants people to donate #latelate pic.twitter.com/0ntBFMkRmA
— RTE One (@RTEOne) December 15, 2017
It provoked a strong reaction online, with a huge amount of praise for Canning's interview.
Class act well done Joe Canning. Enjoyed that interview 🤩https://t.co/k3K4USGWrA
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) December 15, 2017
Not sure there's a more admirable sports person in Ireland today than Joe Canning.
— Vincent Hogan (@Vincent_Hogan) December 15, 2017
Joe Canning is an absolute legend , way more than an amazing hurler - he is a wonderful articulate gentleman and a worthy ambassador . So proud of him.#LateLate
— Richard Joyce (@Dickdoc123) December 15, 2017
You know sometimes you see people on TV and they genuinely impress you? Well, I think Joe Canning is one of the finest young men I've seen for ages. @unicefireland #LateLate
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) December 15, 2017
Canning could cap a wonderful year over the weekend as he is also nominated for tonight's RTE Sportsperson of the Year.
This year has seen a welcomed increase in GAA stars speaking out about issues outside of sport. From Philly McMahon's book on heroin addiction to the GAA players sleep-out for homeless charities, this practise is increasing. It is important to note these stars are members of society too and their social activism could prove to be a vehicle for positive change.
SEE ALSO: Do The GAA Have Any Place Among RTÉ's Sports Awards?
