JJ Delaney says he had his mind made up before the start of the season that 2014 would be his last year with Kilkenny.

The Cats legend went out on a fitting high, winning his eighth national league, eleventh Leinster SHC and ninth All-Ireland SHC.

"Whether it was the first round or in the All-Ireland final, that was going to be it," the 2003 Hurler of the Year reveals in The Kilkenny People.

"I went into this season and gave it one big push. The way it worked out was unbelievable. I was happy. It wasn't a case that we won and then I decided. I knew it was my last season.

"I put in one massive final push to get everything right. I couldn't have written the script any better the way things finished. It was unbelievable.

"The finish couldn't have been better, what with being involved in a great All-Ireland final and replay and then winning. The replay prolonged the season by three weeks. I immersed myself in every second of it because I knew it was my last run.

"I was lucky with the extra time I got at the end. I was lucky with the win. I was lucky that I played fairly well in both games. Winning the final was the icing on the cake."

And what a cake it was!

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