Canning Hurleys forced to close as ash disease hits supply chain

The Portumna company, owned by the famous Canning family including brothers and former Galway stars Ollie and Joe, will shut down next week largely as a result of the ash dieback disease, which has resulted in a shortage in the wood.

Canning Hurleys, one of the leading manufacturers of hurleys in the country, are ceasing trade due to supply difficulties.

The Portumna company, owned by the famous Canning family including brothers and former Galway stars Ollie and Joe, will shut down next week largely as a result of the ash dieback disease, which has resulted in a shortage in the wood.

A statement today reads: “It is with deep regret that we wish to inform you that Canning Hurleys have been forced to close our business due to ongoing supply chain difficulties we are encountering.

“We are no longer in a position to produce the quality hurleys we have to date. Due to the ongoing and persistent Ash dieback disease affecting most of our supply routes we have two major issues:

1. We are experiencing serious supply chain issues in securing Quality Ash planks and the delivery of same; 

2. Supply Chain breakdown with the Number of Ash planks we are able to secure to make our business viable.

“As you know, quality is at the core of every Canning Hurley we produce. We cannot compromise the quality of our products to continue to meet demand with the current ash supply issues potentially due to worsen in the future.

“We also do not wish to pass on any compromised quality issues to you our customers as we value the positive relationships that we have built with all Canning Hurley customers over the past 11 years.

“We would like to thank all our staff and our suppliers over the years for all the dedication and hard work which made Canning Hurleys a business with a genuine reputation for quality and service.

“To our customers, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your custom down through the years. It gave our staff and family great joy to see our Canning Hurleys being used from underage blitzes throughout the country right up to Senior All-Ireland Hurling Final day in Croke Park.

“It was our pleasure as a family to produce quality hand-made Hurleys for the hurling and camogie communities across Ireland and further afield.

“We hope that everyone can understand our situation and please know that it was a very difficult decision for us to make.

“Our last day of business will be Thursday the 31st of March 2022. Thank you all once again.” 

Ash dieback is a fungal disease that often leads to the death of the tree. In recent years, the GAA have invested in the research of producing hybrid hurleys, featuring ash and fibreglass, in response to an anticipated ash shortage.