TIPPERARY GREAT BRENDAN Maher has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling after 13 years of service to the Premier County.

In a statement published on the Tipperary GAA website, the Borris-Ileigh star says it was “a huge honour and privilege” to represent his county and will reflect on his Tipperary career with “no regrets.”

The three-time All-Ireland winner steps away from Liam Sheedy’s side following Tipperary’s elimination from the All-Ireland championship on the back of a defeat to Waterford last month.

His statement in full reads:

“After 13 years playing with Tipperary, I have decided that now is the right time to announce my retirement from inter-county hurling. It was a huge honour and privilege for me to wear the Tipperary jersey and I am very grateful to have played with so many top-class players and to have enjoyed many successes with them. The inter-county game requires very significant commitment, and I am happy that I can look back on my career with no regrets having given everything that I could during my time with Tipperary.

“Firstly, I want to thank the Tipperary players sincerely, I have made lifelong friendships with so many of them. I am also very grateful to the managers and backroom teams who gave me so much support and guidance.

“As a player, I always received immense support from the Tipperary County Board, Tipperary Supporters Club and Associations, Tipperary team sponsors and the GPA. I want to thank all of them. Thanks also to the Tipperary supporters who I have always been so proud to represent.”

Maher, who made his senior inter-county debut in 2009, enjoyed All-Ireland success with Tipperary in 2010, 2016 and 2019.

He picked up three All-Stars throughout his career and captained Tipp when they lifted the Liam MacCarthy cup in 2016.

A versatile player who can switch between attacking and defensive positions, Maher will retire as one of the great talents in modern hurling.

“To my club, Borris-Ileigh, where it all began, a huge thank you. I look forward to what the next few years will bring as we continue our journey. My friends have also been hugely supportive of me and helped me in so many ways over the course of my career, for which I am very grateful.

“My parents, Johnny and Anne, have done everything they possibly could to support and encourage me and there are no words to describe my gratitude to them. I have always looked up to my three older brothers, Sean, Declan, and Martin, to whom I am very grateful for instilling such self-belief and will to win in me. My nieces, nephews and extended family have always been very loyal supporters and I want to say thanks to all of them.

“I am very lucky to have had such constant support and encouragement from my fiancée, Aoife. She has helped me get through the toughest of times and being able to share so many wonderful moments with her has made it all extra special.

“Finally, I wish Tipperary all the very best for 2022 and beyond. I have no doubt that the players and management will do everything in their power to bring more success to the county in the years ahead.”

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