Galway star Joe Canning visits Aodh Ruadh
Saturday, 6th December 2008 was an historic day for hurling in the Aodh Ruadh Club. Vodafone young player of the year 2008, current Vodafone All-star and Galway hurler, Joe Canning, visited the club.
On a bright, frosty day Joe arrived and took 50 underage hurlers for two hours of coaching. He worked with all the different age groups: under 8, under 10, under 12 and under 14s individually with their mentors At the end of the coaching Joe took part in a question and answer session with the kids which proved very informative and interesting for all. Joe then signed autographs and posed for photographs with all the young hurlers.
Later that evening a very enjoyable presentation function took place in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. John Rooney opened proceedings by thanking Joe Canning for keeping a commitment he had made to visit Aodh Ruadh. He thanked him for the effort he made coming from Galway, especially with the very difficult road conditions. He also remembered Billy Finn, who was missing, but he assured everyone that Billy would be back on the sidelines in 2009.
He then showed some video clips of Joe in action for Galway. He also thanked Joe for bringing his All-star award, his young player of the year award and the Tommy Moore cup, presented to the All-Ireland Club Hurling Champions and currently held by Portumna. Joe then spoke and thanked Aodh Ruadh for inviting him to Ballyshannon, it was his first time ever in Donegal.
He gave a very inspiring speech to all present, his passion and commitment to his club, Portumna, was a joy to listen to. His patience and modesty were commented on by all who attended the function.
At this stage refreshments were served by the mothers of the Aodh Ruadh hurlers. Joe kept busy signing autographs and allowing all the kids to be photographed with his awards. The presentation to the under 8 and under 10 hurling teams then took place. The evening continued with Joe presenting the Aodh Ruadh under 12 team who won the Aodh O Dalaigh tournament with their medals and the Aodh Ruadh under 14s who won the county under 14 B title with their medals.
Terence McShea, club chairman, presented Joe with a gift from Aodh Ruadh in appreciation of his visit and spoke of the honour it was for us to have Joe visit the club. After all the presentations and photographs Joe set on the long road back to Galway on a very frosty night. John Rooney thanked all who helped on the day especially the mothers for their catering, Sean Cassidy for all his equipment and Eddie Lynch for his photograph. A very enjoyable disco tool place after.
Joe coaching the Aodh Ruadh under 12s.
Joe coaching the Aodh Ruadh under 8s.
Joe coaching the Aodh Ruadh under 10s.
Joe addresses the boys.
Joe takes a sideline cut, against medical advice!
The question and answer session between Joe and the underage players.
Joe addresses the crowd in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh.
John Rooney speaking at the presentation function with the Tommy Moore Cup in front of him.
Joe's Vodafone Young player of the year and Vodafone All-star awards along with the Tommy Moore cup.
Aodh Ruadh under 8s with underage mentors John Rooney, Kevin Loughlin, Peter Horan, Denis Daly, Eddie Lynch and Joe Canning with the Tommy Moore cup.
Aodh Ruadh under 10s pictured with Joe.
Aodh Ruadh under 12s pictured with Joe.
Aodh Ruadh under 14s pictured with Joe.
Aodh Ruadh mothers pictured with Joe.
Club Chairman, Terence McShea makes a presentation to Joe Canning.
Report Filed: 8 December 2008