Tennyson decides to call time on Cats inter-county career

Kilkenny’s John Tennyson has decided to retire from senior inter-county hurling.

The Carrickshock clubman made his senior debut for the county in 2005, having won All-Ireland minor medals in 2002 and 2003, and starred at centre-back as Kilkenny regained the senior title in 2006.

He also won an All-Ireland U21 title that year, but a cruciate ligament injury that winter meant he only appeared as a substitute when Kilkenny beat Limerick in the 2007 All-Ireland, and he was a non-playing sub the following year.

In 2009, he was ever-present at left half-back as the Cats won a fourth consecutive title and despite suffering another cruciate injury in 2010, he lined out at centre-back in the All-Ireland final loss to Tipperary. He also suffered defeat in the Kilkenny county final that year as Carrickshock lost to O’Loughlin Gaels.

Following surgery, the 2006 and 2009 All-Star nominee didn’t appear for Kilkenny in 2011 and was a panellist last year but only appeared as a late sub against Dublin in the Leinster championship.

A hamstring injury earlier this year limited his chances, and he has taken the decision to opt out.

“It’s disappointing but that’s the way it goes, I didn’t feel that I was in competition for a starting place,” he said.

“My time is up and it’s a good time to go, I’m hoping that I can free up more time to give to the club. I spoke with the management at the start of this week and told them, they wished me the best and I wished them the best.”