The 32 year old Portumna man announced today that he will be retiring from inter county hurling and concreting on the club game. When asked who the toughest defender he ever played against though was a familiar face in Kilkenny defender JJ Delaney.

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“JJ Delaney of Kilkenny, I’d say he was the toughest for nearly every hurler,” Canning said.

“I always found him difficult. He was a class act and I’m glad he’s retired now at this stage.”

What a legacy Joe Canning will leave to the game of hurling, having said that he will continue to play club hurling and don’t rule him out of making a comeback next year when the Championship comes rolling around.