Legendary Kilkenny hurler Jackie Tyrrell has announced his retirement from inter county hurling.
The Cats defender bows out with nine All-Ireland senior hurling medals to his name.
The 34 year-old was a mainstay of the Kilkenny team during their most successful era ever, as they claimed four All-Ireland titles in-a-row between 2006 and 2009.
He captained the side in their 2006 All-Ireland final win over Cork, but has struggled to get into the side in recent seasons owing to injury problems.
However, he was credited with helping the Cats win the 2015 All-Ireland, thanks to an inspirational speech he gave at half time of the final against Galway.
©INPHO/Tom Honan
In a statement of the Kilkenny GAA website, Tyrrell says he is making the decision “comfortable in the knowledge that I never settled for anything less than giving it my very best.
“I fought to the end and I never gave up until the contest was over.
“Being part of the Kilkenny senior hurling panel for the past fourteen years has been an unbelievable journey that has given me endless fulfilment, satisfaction, enjoyment and happiness.
“I have had the privilege of playing with and against some of the greatest sportsmen of our time.
“I consider myself lucky to have played under the greatest GAA manager of all time, Brian Cody.
“I thank him and his management teams for their confidence in me right up to the present time. I wish them and the Kilkenny panel the very best in the future.
“I now intend to dedicate myself and the rest of my playing career to my beloved James Stephen’s.
“It was there that my desire to play the game that I love at the highest level was nurtured and developed.
“Today is not the end but the continuation of a journey, a new beginning, which I intend to fully embrace knowing now that any realistic dream can become a reality.
