On the day that Tommy Walsh announced his inter-county retirement, another Kilkenny All-Ireland winner has ruled out a return to the black and amber.

James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, who sensationally quit the inter-county scene at the age of 26 three years ago, produced an outstanding display for Ballyhale Shamrocks in their Kilkenny SHC final victory over Clara last Sunday. However, the five-time All-Ireland winner insists he's happy with being just a club player.

"(Brian) Cody can ring away. I'm happy enough playing away here (with the club)," he is quoted in the Irish Daily Mirror.

"I had my time in the sun at inter-county level. If I was giving any young lad advice who was going into it, I would say it's 100 per cent commitment.

"You have to be prepared to put everything to the side. Fair play to the lads who do get involved. But I see hurling as a pastime for me and I really enjoyed that win with the club. You do have to put in the hard work too of course.

"But it's brilliant to be going out with the lads you grew up with and to bring home the cup like we did was huge.

"We are such a small parish with few lads to pick from but there is a good group of lads there and I'm sure there is a few more lads to come on the conveyor belt."

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