McDonagh retires with no regrets

STEPHEN McDONAGH has ended a 12-year involvement with Limerick senior hurlers by announcing his retirement from inter-county activity.

“When I came home from Galway on Sunday night I said, ‘that’s it’. During the spring I missed a few weeks of training. We had a new baby and I was tied up at work.

“I needed a few games under my belt if I was to be ready to face Cork and I did not get them. I felt I would not be able to do myself justice,’’ the Bruree club man said.

McDonagh, who will be 35 in October, has no regrets about the decision.

“I had a good innings,” he admitted.

“I made the right decision. I had 11 or 12 great years and while I never got to win an All-Ireland medal, it wasn’t the be-all and end-all.

“Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to get a medal, but as a young fellow, my ambition was to hurl for Limerick. A lot of players don’t get that honour and I did.’’

Phil Bennis introduced him to the panel, but it was under manager Tom Ryan that McDonagh enjoyed his most fruitful years.

“I would have to credit Tom Ryan with giving me my first break and while I didn’t do too well at the start, he stuck with me,’’ he added.

He played in Limerick’s two All-Ireland finals in 1994 and 1996 - winning Munster medals both years and being on the losing side in the finals of 1995 and 2001. He was part of the side that won the National League in 1997, defeating Galway in the final.

“I got a lot of enjoyment from my time with Limerick and made a lot of friends. It’s something I will miss, the camaraderie of the lads and going to matches.

"But, when you begin to find it hard to go training, you know it’s time to walk away. I didn’t want to be waiting until I got a shot against Cork and find I wasn’t properly prepared.”

Next Monday, Limerick will play Kilkenny in a challenge to mark the official reopening of the Gaelic Grounds, with the footballers playing Cork on the same bill.

Meanwhile, the Meath hurling team risk forfeiting two league points if they refuse to play Down in Portaferry on Sunday.

Team boss John Hunt has declared that his team will not travel up north because of a congested fixture list, injuries and the fact that two players, both gardaí, will be absent because of the May Day protests this weekend.

However, the match is unlikely to make any difference to the Division 2 final. Meath need to beat Down by eight points to ensure Roscommon qualify to play Westmeath rather than the Ulster side.

Wexford hurling manager John Conran has added three players to his squad to offset recent defections.

Rathnure’s Anthony O’Connell, Matty White (Bannow-Ballymitty) and Eoin Quigley, son of former Wexford great John, have been called in. Wexford returned to training last night to prepare for their Leinster SHC semi-final clash with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny on June 13.