Inter-county comeback looks unlikely as Joe Canning joins Galway minor coaching team

"There's no return from me I'm afraid, that's the way it is."

Joe Canning announced his retirement from inter-county hurling this year, after almost 13 years playing for Galway. The 33-year-old left the game with an All-Ireland medal in his pocket, picked up in 2017 after ending a 29-year wait, and has cabinet full of personal accolades. Most notably, the Portumna man broke the record to become the top ever scorer in hurling championship history at county level. Officially a hero for the Tribesmen, Galway fans were of course devastated to hear about his retirement, but with the news that Kilkenny legend, Henry Shefflin was taking the job as manager, gave the fans some hope. Some thought that Canning, who announced his retirement before Shefflin took charge, wouldn't want to miss the chance to work with the great man, and may reverse his decision. However, when speaking exclusively to The Throw-In podcast in August, he stated that he would never go back on his decision.

"Jeez no, no, no, that's it now, if people know me kind of personally, I'm stubborn enough. If I say something, that's it and that's the way it is. There's no return from me I'm afraid, that's the way it is."

Now it has been announced, that Canning will be a part of the backroom team for the Galway minors in the 2022 season, it seems that any flicker of hope there may have been of a return to playing, is now gone. Tribe fans will have to settle for watching their hero on the sideline of minor matches, and support him as he helps bring through a new generation of talent.