So another kk great has announced his retirement. one of the best defenders ever to play the game! enjoy retirement JJ

patchwork (Meath) - Posts: 5 - 05/12/2014 10:19:03    1676800

That was one I didn't see coming, what an absolute legend. Always plugging holes, will be solely missed.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7907 - 05/12/2014 10:24:07    1676802

Good luck to JJ in his retirement. Best hurler I've ever seen play the game.

On another note, is anyone getting a bit bored of these GPA scripted retirement statements? They don't mean as much when they're all just taken from a template. Players of the calibre of Walsh, Fogarty, Hogan and Delaney deserve a lot more than a prescripted statement from the GPA to announce their retirements.

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 05/12/2014 10:56:45    1676811

Magnificent player and great servant to KK!!! Good luck to him!

MARNELL (Westmeath) - Posts: 728 - 05/12/2014 11:26:21    1676815

Terrible news.Of all the players ive ever seen,JJ is my favourite.I dont remember a forward ever roasting him.Big Dan Shanahan was the hurler of the year in waiting in 07,until JJ beat him out the gate.Dan didnt know what him.His hook on Callinan this year was a thing of beauty.Only a cat could perfect one of the ancient skills of the game like that.Master craftsmen.And JJ was second to none.Brilliant awareness and anticipation to read a game.Lord of the skies.Unassuming gentleman.Of all the recent retirees this one has hit me hard.Ill never have the pleasure to see this great again,but the many memories hes given me will last forever.Your name will be talked about for many generations to come.When were all long gone.LEGEND.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 05/12/2014 11:27:27    1676816

Stylish player , hard hitting back , took no nonsense from anyone who got in his way.
One of the greats you cant argue with that.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 05/12/2014 11:37:54    1676818

Sorry lads,i meant 2004 when JJ beat Big Dan off the field.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 05/12/2014 11:44:27    1676822

The only KK retirement so far to be a boost to the rest of us, in that he was a key player in 2014. He could have gone on to win a tenth medal next year and he would have been a definite starter too to boot.

On a different note, Seamus Callinan's Twitter reaction was a nice touch - he said that JJ was an animal in the air and wasn't too bad at a hook either! (Didn't mention he scored 2-5 from play over the 2 finals!). Fair play!

As regards the best players of all-time, who knows, but I've been watching hurling since the start of the 80's and I'd have about 5-6 players since then as definites (the rest are up for debate!), JJ is one of those! (DJ, Shefflin, Eoin Kelly, Brian Lohan, Sean McMahon maybe the others, maybe Joe Cooney too, Joe Canning potentially). Just saying...

1914 (Clare) - Posts: 92 - 05/12/2014 12:26:33    1676837

An all-time great!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8596 - 05/12/2014 13:10:02    1676856

Awesome player. One of my all time favourites. Was never beaten

Taht hook...will go down in the history of the game

True legend. Game will be poorer without him

Best wishes on the retirement

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 05/12/2014 13:12:00    1676859

So sad to see to see this man retire. He was a great. I can only think of Brian Lohan challenging him for berth of best full back ever which makes his achievements all the better considering he is the best wing back I've ever seen. Absolutely peerless. He reminds me of Seamus Moynihan of Kerry, in that they made defending cool. That hook won them he final as it said to tipp you'll even when you've beat us for pace, you'll not beat us for heart, skill and determination. Best of luck JJ. Enjoy your time off as you've earned it off.

Bain (Donegal) - Posts: 470 - 05/12/2014 13:50:03    1676871

he had a few more all irelands and all stars in him...

wishfulthinkin (Cavan) - Posts: 1687 - 05/12/2014 13:54:34    1676873

Wasn't overly surprised at the other retirements, not even Tommy's, but this one has taken me by surprise as JJ was still an integral part of the team and would be looking for his tenth medal next year. I pity the man who will have to replace him, possibly Kieran Joyce. Wasn't as flamboyant as Tommy Walsh but was a better defender in my opinion. In fact, one of the greatest defenders of all time. We have become so used to him at full back the last couple of years that it's easy to forget that he a brilliant left half back aswell. I didn't think Jackie would retire either but the way things are going nothing would surprise me now!

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 05/12/2014 14:06:37    1676876

Possibly wishful thinking but he is going out on a high on his terms which something that isn't afforded to every great player. I don't think Cummins dreamt of retiring after defeat in Nowlan park on a Saturday evening.

JJ will go down as an all time great and rightfully so. He was the big man for the big occasion and in my opinion the main reason Kilkenny beat Tipp this year and last (blocking Eoin Kelly's certain goal)

What I like about him above Tyrell and Walsh is he was a very clean hurler, tough but fair. Great catcher of a ball, great reader of the game, great stickman.

Have a great retirement JJ.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 05/12/2014 14:08:22    1676877

What a great player he was. Simply brilliant.

But not sure GAA players need to release statements about retirement...

I see the GPA in all of that nonsense.

lowballplease (Galway) - Posts: 935 - 05/12/2014 14:23:59    1676883

Ah that famous hook on S Callinan. I'm just after seeing the move in slow motion- what I never realised until now was that when Callinan first burst past him, Delaney fouled him by using the now infamous 'spare hand' to pull back Callinan's catching hand so that he couldn't release the ball to his hurl quickly. Only copped it when I noticed Callinan half-swipe back to try to release his arm. And just before the 20m line too. Foul committed, runner slowed up, otherwise it would probably have been a goal - the dark arts of defending, wasn't all about the hook (magnificent as it was). Success!!

1914 (Clare) - Posts: 92 - 05/12/2014 17:38:25    1676949

JJ was my favourite player that I have ever seen. Very disappointed today to hear the news that he retired. Many people have said he was one of the best defenders ever but in my mind he IS the greatest defender ever. Overall one of the all time greats. Such a sytlish hurler, tremendous hands, very strong in the air, read the game so well, versatile and a gent of the game. He will be a huge loss to Kilkenny and to the game as a whole. A class act.

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 05/12/2014 18:56:01    1676972

One of the True Greats of the game. Best wishes JJ

Miler (Mayo) - Posts: 1015 - 05/12/2014 20:19:55    1676994

1914, the problem with that is its almost impossible for a referee to spot it that's why the backs get a away with it. Similar sort of messing goes on in Gaelic football too only it's marginally easier for a referee to spot.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 05/12/2014 20:32:06    1676998

Best defender ive ever seen and Kilkennys biggest loss from the recent retirements.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 05/12/2014 21:15:02    1677004