The All-Ireland winning hurler dating former Miss Ireland
HE may be the Hurler of the Year and a living legend to his devoted fans in Galway, but to the new love in his life, Joe Canning is more likely a funny guy... and a bit shy.
The All-Ireland winner is dating former Miss Ireland, model Jessica Hayes, the Irish Mail on Sunday can exclusively reveal... and she knows exactly what she wants in her man.
The quality hurler and the Assets model were introduced by mutual friends before Christmas and have been an item since. But the MoS understands that Canning – who last year led Galway to their first All-Ireland victory in 29 years, and is fearless in his pursuit of glory on the pitch – was smitten with Jessica for some time before plucking up the courage to ask her out.
Since he did, their romance has blossomed and Cork model Jessica was in Joe’s home county of Galway last weekend for a romantic Easter break. A source told the MoS: ‘They are getting on really well. They suit each other and are really happy.’ And as well as being a sporting hero, Joe must also have a funny side, as Jessica previously told the MoS that she was looking for a man to make her laugh. Only last July, her catwalk career was the most important aspect of her life. She told the MoS: ‘I have been single for some time now, I am just focused on work and getting established in London.’ She also revealed that she was on the look out for a chirpy Irish chap. And while she didn’t think her stunning looks and enviable figure could intimidate men, she said it had been mentioned to her by her model boss.
‘I wouldn’t say that guys are intimidated but Courtney [O’Hara, the Assets boss] does say that they can be,’ she said with a laugh.
‘But I don’t think so. Although, in general, I do think Irish guys are far shyer and would hesitate before asking any girl out.
‘And there are definitely more girls than guys out there. English guys would be far more forward. So I don’t really get asked out on a lot of dates.
‘I do go on dates but it’s not that often. I’m not looking for anything serious at the moment. I just really want someone who can make me laugh. As clichéd as that sounds that’s what I want.’
Jessica, 23, has always harboured dreams of becoming a model since a young age. She took the Miss Ireland title in 2014 after she entered the competition for second time. ‘I won Miss Ireland in the summer of 2014. So I was Miss Ireland until 2015,’ she said.
‘I had always thought about being a model but I hadn’t really got the confidence but my friends pushed me into entering for Miss Cork.’
‘I really want someone who can make me laugh’