Ryall calls time on glittering Cats career.

KILKENNY defender James Ryall has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The Graigue-Ballycallan man (30) bows out with six All-Ireland medals, seven Leinster and four National League titles with the Cats.

“I’d a great time with Kilkenny,” said Ryall. “It was an honour to play for my county and to finish with six All-Ireland medals is something special. You’d have to be happy with that.”

Ryall had been struggling with injuries in recent years. In March 2006, he was diagnosed with chronic compartment syndrome in his legs, an extremely painful condition which puts dangerous pressure on muscles due to exercise. However, Ryall admitted he came to the decision after making an honest appraisal of his situation in the panel.

“The last few years I hadn’t been making the team and I was finding it more and more difficult to get in,” he said. “I’d had a few injuries but that was no excuse. When I told Brian (Cody) about my decision I had to be honest not just for the team but for myself as well. At the end of it, Brian shook my hand and that was it. We left on the best terms possible. It’s the right decision. I’ve had a lot of great years with Kilkenny and the memories will stay with me forever.”

Ryall was known as the one of, if not, the most laid back member in the Kilkenny set-up.

Ryall once conceded: “I never get too excited. Every year since I started, Cody has had to have words with me and to be honest I’ve needed it. He mentions things like my time keeping which I admit is poor.”

Ryall now reflects on the 2006 All-Ireland final over Cork, the start of the four-in-a-row, as his personal highlight.

“It was the memory that stands out because we were underdogs going into the game and when you’re not fancied it gives you the greatest satisfaction when you win it,” he said. “To have played in that final was a real highlight.”