One of the greatest and certainly most sustained careers in Irish sport has come to an end. Tony Browne, the relentless Waterford wing back, has finally stepped off the inter-county carousel in his 41st year.

The Mount Sion defender made his debut for the Déise against Galway in a national league encounter way, way back in 1991.

“I would like to take this opportunity to officially announce my retirement from inter-county hurling,” said Browne.

“To do so is always a tough decision for any athlete but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the Waterford hurling teams over the past three decades.”

That included some rousing, never to be forgotten hurling epics, which yielded four Munster championship titles and three All Stars, the last coming in 2007, but despite a 23 year crusade, an All-Ireland medal remained elusive.

Browne was named hurler of the year in 1998.

That he out lasted younger heroes from Waterford’s golden era, like John Mullane and Ken McGrath, is an achievement in itself.

“Throughout those years I had the honour of playing with and against some of the greatest players ever seen in the game,” Browne added. “I would like to thank all of the past and present players for their wonderful support and friendship throughout my career.”