Former Hurler of the Year Eoin Larkin has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
In a prepared statement, the Kilkenny legend revealed that he had arrived at the decision to call it a day after 12 years at the pinnacle of the sport during which he won eight All-Ireland medals.
Larkin, 32, made his debut for the Cats against Offaly in Croke Park in 2005 and went on to become a mainstay in Brian Cody’s side.
Added to his All-Ireland honours and 2008 Hurler of the Year prize are 10 Leinster SHC medals, six National Hurling League medals and two All Stars for a man who lived and breathed hurling.
“After due consideration I have decided that now is the right time for me to announce my inter-county retirement,” Larkin said.
“I have enjoyed 12 of the best years of my life with success I could only have dreamed of. It was always my dream from a young age to play, captain and win an All-Ireland with Kilkenny and I’m proud and happy to say I lived my dream.
“I am content to walk away now knowing I gave everything I could for myself but also the team every time I walked out on the training pitch or pulled on a Kilkenny jersey and left no stone unturned in the pursuit of perfection, although I never got close.
“I’ve played with and against some of the best players of all time and had the privilege of working with the best manager of all time for those years.
“Doing what I loved doing for 12 years didn’t seem like a sacrifice but although they never said anything I know for a fact my family sacrificed a massive amount for me to fulfil my dream.”
Michael Lundy joins Wooly for a wide-ranging discussion that starts with a chat about Ger Loughnane, dodgy transfers and Davy Fitzgerald’s training methods. Subscribe here on iTunes.
