Hurler TJ far from burned out at 60

SIXTY-YEAR-OLD TJ Reilly is bucking the trend of player burn-out.

Reilly, the Meath hurling board chairman, lined out for Boardsmill in their Junior 2HC final victory over Rathmolyon at Kildalkey on Sunday.

And he’s not ruling out a return next year.

“I love the game and, thank God, I’m healthy and still able to play,” said Reilly who turns 61 on November 17. “Our goalkeeper got injured in the first round of the championship and lots of the young lads were afraid to go in goal in case they made a mistake. So, I got the call up.

“Thankfully everything went grand for me. I allowed one goal in which was unstoppable from about five yards out. In the second half I was worried playing into the wind as my puck out was not what it was a few years ago. But we played well and did the business.”

Reilly’s inclusion certainly changed the age profile of the side which included nephew Mark, 26, at full-back.

He explained: “Five of the lads are under 18, five under 25 while we have a couple of young lads between 30 and 35.”

And next year?

“It is a great honour to go out and play and I really enjoyed it. When I was playing most of them weren’t born. If they want me to play next year, I will. If God is good to me, who knows.”

He added: “I played 14 years for Meath back in the seventies and travelled all over the country. I have five senior county medals and earned the county Hurler of the Year accolade in 1975.”