Very few get to choose the moment
Henry Shefflin has finally called time on his inter-county career at the age of 36, bringing down the curtain on the greatest hurling career of all time. The news was revealed today at a press conference in Langtons,the scene of so many Kilkenny All-Ireland press conferences during the forwards career. No steak today, but something much tougher for Kilkenny hurling fans to digest.
Not many 'Kings' get to decide when they can leave the throne and Henry has picked his time to vacate the position of that of a genuine Irish sporting legend. Speaking today at a specially arranged press conference in front of a huge media pack, the forward revealed that he had made the decision with a 'deep sense of gratitude and contentment'
He told the assembled crowd that it 'was impossible to quantify the enjoyment he gained from GAA and hurling over a 16 year career.' He thanked a number of people in his career,including his wife Deidre,his mentors with Ballyhale as well as a special mention for Brian Cody. He outlined that the Kilkenny boss played a 'huge role in his success and he wanted to thank him for his support and encouragement.'
He revealed that he made the decision over the weekend and that he felt very lucky he was able to postpone the question until after the All-Ireland club success. He watched the Clare game and 'knew the time had come'
When asked what he would miss most he admitted that it will be hard to separate himself from the Kilkenny dressing room 'I'll miss training most-I would love to have been training last night. I'll miss the craic and enjoyment of it. It's a selfish decison-if there was ever a time to go now was the time.'
It's almost been a full 24 hours of speculation since it was revealed on Tuesday that Shefflin had a high-noon date with the media to reveal his future plans today. The Kilkenny and Irish sporting legend has been dogged by questions surrounding his intentions for the last two seasons, and especially since his county's 35th All-Ireland triumph last September. The three-time hurler of the year kept journalists and the public waiting but we can now bring down the curtain on one of the finest sporting careers of all time-but only at inter county. The story will seemingly go on for Ballyhale.
He departs the inter county scene with 10 All-Ireland senior medals,13 Leinster success,five national league crowns and 11 All-Star awards. Just this week he scooped his third All-Ireland club medal as he scored two points in Ballyhale's latestclub success at the expense of Kilmallock.
He made 71 championship appearances for Kilkenny and is the GAA's all time top points scorer in championship history with 27-484 to his name.
The Ballyhale legend played generally as a half forward during his career but such was his skill and talent level that his ability to roam throughout the field made his almost unmarkable. He made his Kilkenny inter-county debut in June of 1999 and played in 62 consecutive championship games under Brian Cody until an injury forced him to miss out on the clash with Offaly in 2013. He did return to action later in the summer but suffered disappointment as he was sent off against Cork in the All-Ireland q-final with the card subsequently rescinded.
His final season in black and amber saw him used more as an impact sub and he came on in both the drawn and replayed All-Ireland finals of 2014 as he helped Cody and the Cats to a 35th All-Ireland title.
