Kilkenny hurling star Henry Shefflin retires
Last updated on .From the section Gaelic Games
Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin has brought a stellar inter-county career to an end by announcing his retirement.
The 36-year-old won a record 10 All-Ireland titles with the Cats to go along with 13 Leinster titles and five national league triumphs.
Shefflin picked up 11 All Stars and is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever hurlers.
He also shone for Ballyhale Shamrocks, with his third All-Ireland club success secured on St Patrick's Day.
"When I reflect back over the past 16 years playing the game that I love, at the highest level with Kilkenny, it is impossible to quantify the endless hours of happiness, satisfaction and fulfilment I have enjoyed," said Shefflin on Wednesday.
"The various challenges I experienced along the way became opportunities for me to develop as a person both on and off the field of play."
Shefflin, who also won three Hurler of the Year awards, made his Kilkenny debut in 1999 and scored five points in the All-Ireland defeat by Cork that year.
He netted two goals as the Cats secured the Liam McCarthy Cup in 2000 and played a key role in the Leinster side's dominance in the sport under manager Brian Cody.
It included four All-Ireland titles in a row starting from 2006, with Shefflin scoring heavily in all four deciders.
Shefflin tore a cruciate ligament in the 2010 All-Ireland semi-final win over Cork but he made a remarkable recovery and started in the final against Tipperary.
However, he was forced off after 13 minutes and Tipp went on to deny the Cats a fifth straight title.
Injury also hampered his 2014 campaign although he became the first player to win 10 All-Ireland titles after coming on as a substitute when Kilkenny beat Tipperary in a replay.
