PIC: Sportsfile
Joe Canning has delivered high praise for Tipperary’s rising star Darragh McCarthy, describing the teenager as a “serious tank of a young fella” and telling him that “the world is your oyster.”
McCarthy has enjoyed a dream debut year at senior level, helping Tipperary to both All-Ireland Under-20 and senior titles in 2025. The Toomevara forward capped his breakthrough campaign in spectacular style, scoring 1-13 in the All-Ireland final demolition of Cork.
At just 19, McCarthy’s emergence mirrors Canning’s own arrival on the intercounty scene. The Galway legend was also a teenager when he made his senior debut back in 2008, a year that ended with an All-Star and 4-27 to his name.
Canning’s first championship outing produced 2-6 against Antrim, while McCarthy posted a season total of 2-46 in his first year.
Now 36, Canning reflected on those parallels earlier this week after lining out alongside McCarthy at the annual Hurling for Cancer Research charity match in Carlow. Canning played with Jim Bolger’s Stars while McCarthy was part of Davy Russell’s Best.
Speaking to the Irish Sun at the event, Canning said: “I was 19 as well when I started off, same kind of thing. I don’t know if Darragh flew to his first Championship game though.
“Ger Loughnane was Galway manager at the time and had us flying up from Galway to Belfast for that match against Antrim.
“But yeah, it’s a special time. I’d love to do it all again and Darragh has it ahead of him now.
“For a young fella starting off now, it’s a little bit different. There’s so much social media now whereas it wasn’t really there for me and the scrutiny wasn’t as bad. It’s a lot harder for players now I think, when everyone has an opinion and can voice it.”
McCarthy’s first senior summer was eventful. He hit eight points on his championship debut against Limerick and five more in the All-Ireland Under-20 decider against Kilkenny, but he also picked up two red cards along the way. His response was emphatic, producing a match-winning display in the senior final.
Canning said: “It was great for him then to perform in the All-Ireland final after that, scoring 1-13, just great stuff.
“The world is his oyster now. Winning an Under-20 and a senior in the one year, it’s an incredible start. Sometimes it can be hard to stay at a level like that and you have to realise it’s not going to be like that every year unfortunately. But he has good lads around him and Liam Cahill will look after him.”
Canning was particularly struck by McCarthy’s physical presence when the pair shared the field on Monday night.
He smiled: “Monday evening was the first time I was probably up close with him. He walked past me at one stage and he’s well built. He’s a serious tank of a young fella. He’s well able to look after himself, don’t worry about that.”
After the charity game, McCarthy stayed long on the pitch to meet supporters, sign hurls and jerseys, and pose for photographs. Canning believes such moments are fleeting, pointing out how quickly the hurling landscape can change.
He added: “Tipp winning it this year has given everyone a good lift.
“Look at last year, Tipp weren’t able to get out of Munster. Now they’re All-Ireland champions.
“If you’re one of those counties that hasn’t gone well this year, you’re looking at that and you’re saying, 'If Tipp can do it, why can’t we do it?'
“Now it’s obviously not as simple as just wanting to do it but it definitely gives you hope. When the underdog wins, it always gives the rest of the teams hope.”
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