Sadness has swept across Galway hurling circles following the sad announcement of the passing of Josephine Canning, the mother of Galway hurling legend Joe Canning.
Mrs Canning (née Lynch) passed away peacefully on Wednesday in University College Hospital Galway surrounded by family, Galway Beo reports.
The Canning matriarch leaves behind seven loving children including Galway hurling legends Joe and Ollie, and former Galway camogie player Deirdre, as well as seventeen adoring grandchildren.
The Galway woman had battled health issues in the past, having overcome breast cancer in 2015, within months of the news that her husband Sean was diagnosed with the disease.
Josephine’s funeral mass will take place on Saturday in St Brigid’s Church in Portumna and will be streamed live here.
The Canning family have requested family flowers only and, if desired those wishing to pay tribute can make donations to St. Joseph's Ward, patient comfort fund. UCHG or Oncology Department. Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
The All Ireland Hurling Chapionship's all-time top scored announced his surprise retirement last summer citing the toll the inter-county game was having on his body, following a 1-30 to 3-20 championship qualifier defeat to Waterford last July.
He revealed that following the heartbreaking defeat at Semple Stadium that he announced his retirement intentions to his mother over the phone, and recalled her surprise at the news that sent shockwaves across Galway hurling circles.
Josephine was at Croke Park in 2017, to watch her son end the Tribesmen 29-year wait for a Liam McCarthy cup, scoring 0-9 during his side's 0-26 to 2-17 victory over Waterford.
Canning has credited his family for instilling a love for hurling into him, and followed in the footsteps of his brother Ollie, who himself is a former Galway captain and all-star recipient. Canning’s uncle on his father’s side Frankie had also played hurling at inter-county level between the 1960s and 1980s.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
