Bennett and Feeney call time on Déise inter-county careers

WATERFORD’S Dave Bennett and Tom Feeney have retired from inter-county hurling.

Both failed to start last September’s All-Ireland final against Kilkenny but were introduced as second-half substitutes.

Feeney said: “I’ve been with the squad since November 1993 and I believe the time has come for me to call it a day.”

The 34-year-old Ballyduff Upper club man won a Munster MHC medal in 1992 and a provincial U21 medal in 1994 before enjoying senior championship success in 2002, 2004 and 2007 when he also won a National League.

Like Feeney, Bennett (31) has been playing superbly with his club and many believe he still has much to offer to the Waterford team. His retirement decision is irrevocable one and he admitted: “I am happy now I have made it.”

In addition to the three Munster titles and NHL crown won this decade, Bennett is the holder of four Fitzgibbon Cup medals, and has won county championships from juvenile through senior level with Lismore. He received two All-Star nominations.

Waterford County Board chairman Pat Flynn said: “We can be all proud of the contributions of Tom and Dave to the cause of their county, and I want to thank them sincerely for their efforts on Waterford’s behalf. It saddens and disappoints me that they, like Paul Flynn, are leaving the scene without having won the All- Ireland senior medal they so richly deserved.”