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12th May 2020
04:59pm BST

"You win that ball in the air, it's demoralising for your opponent. You can dictate where play is going to go as well. It's a real individual battle, whoever wants it more..."
One of the more striking insights into the mindset of a great hurler came when Delaney discussed his motivations heading into 2014, the year he knew would be his final one.
"I wasn't happy with the way 2013 went," he says.
"Fitness wise, touch wise. I wasn't where I should have been. And if you're really harsh looking back, you can bluff your teammates, you can bluff your manager, but you can't bluff yourself.
"So I had a hard conversation with myself saying I wasn't fit enough. I wasn't putting in enough gym work, the touch wasn't right. I was just putting in all the things I could to rectify my own game. I was going to put myself in the best position for Brian to pick me."
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And while many may have felt that there was more in the tank, none-more so than Brian Cody who told him 'there's probably more in you,' - Delaney had his mind made up.
"After 2013, I told my wife Aisling I was going to give it one more year. I said I'd give it my all for that year. I was just looking forward to going back to the club and all. But fair enough, the legs could have been able to do it (another year,) but I could have cost Kilkenny an All-Ireland who knows.
"I was just done with the county scene, my mind was made up and I didn't want to be taking up a Kilkenny jersey that another fella might have appreciated more.
"I kind of had a few red flags in my own head that my standards were slipping as well. There was a few occasions during the year that I just felt myself, if the ball broke our way, I wouldn't have got there..."
A perfectionist at work. A hurling legend from a different planet.
You can listen to the GAA Hour's JJ Delaney tribute show here.
https://soundcloud.com/sportsjoe-gaa-hour/gaa-hour-tribute-show-jj-delaneyExplore more on these topics: