It was time to go, says Limerick servant Donal O’Grady

Last year Donal O’Grady’s situation became clearer to him in the pub. He was getting a carvery when his status as Limerick hurling captain intervened.

“The man there asked if I wanted everything on the food, and I said I would, but when we came to the chips he laughed and said ‘ah, no chips for you’.

“I was thinking, ‘hey, that’s my call’.” O’Grady’s retirement was confirmed on Sunday. He’ll be 36 this year and both body and mind were telling him to go.