The Republic of Ireland’s newest international soccer recruit has strong Galway roots and GAA connections – with a grandmother from Recess, and relatives dotted around Conamara.

The maternal family of Leicester City’s rising star Tom Cannon, who was called up to the Ireland squad this week by manager John O’Shea, hails from County Galway.

Mary Joyce from Recess in Conamara is the 21-year-old’s granny. A nurse, she emigrated to Liverpool, where his mother, Ann Marie was born and reared.

Ann Marie married an Englishman – Tommy – who also had Irish parents from Mayo and Clare. They had five children in Aintree, including Tom, who is a twin.

Mary Joyce is a sister to Brenda Faherty, who lives in Maigh Cuillin. She has four children, including, a son James who is involved in the Moycullen senior football backroom team.

Another sister is Ethna, whose son Dessie Conneely played football for Galway at minor, U21 and senior. Dessie also captained Moycullen senior footballers to a county championship in 2020, and county and Connacht titles in 2022.

Other aunts and uncles of Tom Cannon include Barbara and Catherine, both in Oughterard; Bernie in Rosmuc; Patrick in Cashel; Gabriel in Recess; as well as Eddie in Arlow, County Wicklow; and the late Frank, who was living in Cork and passed away in 1994.

Their parents – Tom Cannon’s great grandparents – were Mairtín Pat and Bridget Joyce from Shanakeela, Recess.

Caption: Tom Cannon in training with the Ireland squad this week.

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