County title would be a consolation for Carter

IT SHOULD have been the sweetest of seasons for Charlie Carter, the perfect inter-county valedictory year. But with a bitter twist, it all went sour.

Nominated to captain Kilkenny by his club, Young Irelands, the reigning county champions, the Cats went on to retain their All-Ireland but it was Charlie’s team-mate DJ Carey who accepted the Liam McCarthy Cup.

Several weeks earlier, angry and disappointed, Charlie had quit the inter-county scene. It’s a decision he doesn’t regret but an outcome he’ll take to the grave.