Brian Cody would have welcomed Henry Shefflin back into the Kilkenny fold with 'open arms' if he had decided he wanted to stretch his inter-county career into a 17th year.

The 11-time All Star revealed to The Irish Independent that Cody left the decision up to him but made it clear that there would be a place for him on the Cats squad if he wanted to continue.

"I knew what Brian was going to say when I went to meet him," Shefflin said.

"We have such a strong relationship that I wanted to have a sit down with Brian over a cup of tea and a scone and chat more about hurling than anything else.

"'He said that 'you're very much welcome back with open arms but it's your own decision'. He didn't tell me to go or to stay."

The Ballyhale clubman made his mind up while watching the Cats' league win over Clare on television last Sunday.

"I made it over the weekend to be honest, the question kept on being asked, 'when was I going to go' but I felt like last year was still going for me until we played last week.

"I was very much in the zone of hurling right up until Paddy's Day.

"We enjoyed it for a few days and then I knew I had to reflect and take time.

"I spoke to Brian at the back end of last week and then I reflected more on it and myself and Deirdre were at home on Sunday watching the Clare match and I knew my time had come."

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