GAA:Tipperary All-Ireland winner Declan Fanning announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
The Killenaule clubman was vice captain to Eoin Kelly during this season’s All-Ireland winning campaign when they defeated favourites Kilkenny in the final to deny their rivals a famous five-in-a-row.
“Having had the great honour of winning an All-Ireland senior hurling medal with Tipperary this year, I have decided to call time on my inter-county hurling career,” confirmed the 31-year-old.
“It was a huge privilege for me to be a member of this great Tipperary hurling panel. I have never worked with a more committed management team or group of players. I am very grateful to Liam Sheedy and his management and backroom team for all the encouragement and support they gave me.
“I want to thank all the players. We worked hard together but we also had great fun and I shall miss training and hurling with them. I also want to thank my club, Killenaule, for their great loyalty and support during my time playing with Tipperary,” added Fanning, who said inter-county meant a lot of sacrifices, not only for players but their families.
The Tipperary county board thanked Fanning for his contribution over the years. “Declan served the county with great skill and commitment. His quiet and determined personality was hugely influential on Tipperary’s success this year and he is held in very high regard by his fellow players, by team management and all associated with Tipperary hurling,” read the board’s statement.
The influential half-back made his debut against Wexford in the National League in 2004 with his Championship debut coming against Limerick in June 2004. He went on to represent Tipp at senior level on 30 occasions and also played Championship football for the county against Donegal at Croke Park in 2003.
He picked up an All Star award at full-back in 2007 and was an All Star nominee in 2009 and 2010 and has won two Munster senior medals. At club level he secured South Senior medals with Killenaule in 2005, 2007 and 2008.