Canning keen to deflect credit towards others

WHEN your name is Joe Canning, everyone wants a piece of you.

Yesterday the young scoring sensation from Galway was in Dublin to receive the award for hurling in the Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Stars awards. In a week's time he'll be trotting out at Croke Park with Portumna in the AIB All-Ireland Club final, and he will represent a further six teams at one stage or another this calendar year.

A minor All-Ireland winner with Galway last year as well, Canning's successes may be remarkable but his story in 2005 was mirrored by every one of the other 20 recipients yesterday across the sporting spectrum at yesterday's reception.