Graham Canty

Graham Canty (born 23 July 1980) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-back for the Cork senior team.

Born in Bantry, County Cork, Canty arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later joining the under-21 side.

Canty joined the club's senior team in the late 1990s and immediately enjoyed his first major victory.

Canty for came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor football team in the late 1990s.

It was a period when 'the Rebels' were going through a lull at underage level in the provincial series of games.

After failing to even win a Munster title with the minors, Canty later moved onto the Cork under-21 team.

In 1998 Bantry Blues reached the final of the county senior championship with Canty lining out in defence.

Divisional side Duhallow provided the opposition; however, the west Cork men were too strong for the north Cork division.

A 0–17 to 2–6 score line gave Bantry Blues the title and gave Canty his first, and to date his only, county winners' medal.

The following year Canty was a member of the Bantry Blues under-21 football team.

He added a West Cork Under-21 title to his collection on that occasion.

He made his senior debut in the 2000 championship.

Canty went on to play a key role in defence for over a decade, and won one All-Ireland medal, four Munster medals and one National Football League medal.

Two years later in 2001 Bantry Blues qualified for the final of the county senior championship final.

Nemo Rangers, the kingpins of the championship, provided the opposition, however, Canty's side were no match for the city club.

A 1–14 to 0–6 trouncing resulted in defeat for Bantry Blues.

Once again, success was slow in coming; however, in 2001 he was appointed captain of the county's under-21 team.

That year he guided Cork to a Munster final appearance against Limerick.

That game ended in a 1–12 to 0–8 victory for 'the Rebels'.

Not only did Canty collect a Munster under-21 winners' medal but he also had the honour of lifting the cup on behalf of his county.

Cork were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final.

In 2001 Canty established himself in the full-back position on the Cork senior football team.

That year he lined out in his first senior provincial decider.

Arch-rivals and reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry were the opponents.

The game was a reasonably close affair; however, 'the Kingdom' never looked like losing.

At the full-time whistle Cork were defeated by 0–19 to 1–13.

2001 was the first year of the qualifier system so, in spite of being defeated, Cork had another chance to battle for the All-Ireland title.

Canty's side, however, were subsequently dumped out of the championship by Galway.

2002 proved to be a more successful year for Canty.

After winning against Kerry in the provincial semi-final, Cork qualified for a Munster final showdown with Tipperary.

While many people expected Cork to win the game easily, Tipp nearly sneaked a win, however, the provincial decider ended in a draw.

An All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions, Canty captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 2010.

Canty represented the Ireland team in the International rule on a number of occasions throughout his career, claiming three winners' medals in the process.

He was also a regular on the Munster inter-provincial team.

At club level Canty won one championship medal with Bantry Blues.

Throughout his career, Canty made 61 championship appearances for Cork.

He announced his retirement from inter-county football on 1 November 2013.

Canty plays his club football with his local club called Bantry Blues and has enjoyed some success.

He also plays with the Carbery divisional team.

He first came to prominence with the club in the underage grades; however, success was slow in coming.