Kilkenny hurler Jackie Tyrrell eyes retirement

Kilkenny hurler Jackie Tyrrell has admitted he is seriously considering calling time on his inter-county career.

The long-serving Kilkenny defender pocketed a ninth All-Ireland medal earlier this month, but was sidelined for both the semi-final and final wins over Waterford and Galway after undergoing surgery to address a stress fracture to his ankle.

Hinting yesterday that he may require a second surgery on his ankle, Tyrrell says retirement from the inter-county scene is now a real possibility.

“I’m 34 next year and with injuries and things like that, it [retirement] is very much realistic at the minute,” he told Beat 102-103 at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois.