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Oral History

Joe Canning

Joe Canning did not come from a strong GAA family and the interview charts the progression of his relationship with the GAA – from occasional spectator to club administrator – and the impact this has had on his identity and his sense of Irishness. Canning talks about the great GAA players who made an impression on him in his youth, telling of attending games at the Armagh Athletic Grounds and listening to match commentaries on the radio. Canning discusses the origins and historical development of the St. Killian’s club in Whitecross, as well as his involvement with the Armagh county board. He occupied a number of officer positions, including that of Treasurer and he refers to the difficulties in raising sufficient finance to meet the GAA’s expenditures. Canning’s deepening commitments at county board level corresponded with a reduction of his involvement at club level. He discusses the importance of volunteerism to the GAA, the impact of the Association on his sense of identity. Issues such as the Irish language, Scór, the work of the Cardinal O Fiaich library are raised. So too are such highlights and low-points in the modern Armagh GAA story as the 1977 All-Ireland final appearance and the assassination of the Reavey brothers from Whitecross – both members of his GAA club - in their own homes. Finally, Canning talks about his outlook for the GAA into the future and his preference for a revamped inter-county championship system.