Only Henry left from '00

The intercounty retirement of Noel Hickey last weekend leaves Kilkenny manager Brian Cody with one survivor from his first senior All-Ireland success in 2000 — Henry Shefflin.

Both Hickey and Shefflin won nine All-Ireland senior hurling medals under Cody’s tutelage.

Although there were reports before Christmas that Hickey would play on, the player rang Cody on Friday evening to inform him of his decision. He will, however, continue to line out with his club, Dunnamaggin. The 32-year-old has struggled to overcome a series of injuries in recent seasons but figured in the All-Ireland senior hurling final replay win over Galway as a sub.

Cody has ready-made cover in JJ Delaney, who has moved from wing-back to full-back in recent years.

Hickey also won three All Star awards, all at full-back.

He made his Kilkenny senior debut in 2000 against Cork in the national league, having captained the 1999 U21 side to the All-Ireland title.

The defender overcame a serious health issue – a heart virus – which ruled him out of much of the 2005 season to return and become an integral part of the Kilkenny four-in-a-row side.