And now, it seems, the end is near. Henry Shefflin has called a press conference for Langton’s Hotel in Kilkenny tomorrow lunchtime, giving the broadest indication yet that he is about to call time on his intercounty career.

Shefflin, 36, has spent much of the past 18 months swerving questions about his future and always said he’d hold off on any announcement until the end of Ballyhale’s run in the club championship.

On the basis that it’s hard to imagine him calling the press together to inform them he’s going to turn up for training with the rest of the Kilkenny squad later in the week, it appears certain that he will bring an end to one of the greatest careers the GAA has ever seen.

Shefflin is the only player in the history of the game with 10 All-Ireland titles. He has 13 Leinster medals to go alongside, as well as six National Leagues, three club All-Irelands, 11 All Stars and three Hurler of the Year awards.

Shefflin has been leaning this way for a while. Before the All-Ireland semi-finals last August, he sat in Langtons and gave a small hint of his thinking.

“Obviously, my opportunities to win honours are diminishing every month,” he said, before reiterating that he wouldn’t be making up his mind one way or the other until all was done and dusted.

That time, it seems, has arrived.