Former Waterford hurler Paul Flynn has paid tribute to Tony Browne, who announced his intercounty retirement yesterday.

The 40-year-old represented his county at the highest level for 23 years, winning three All Stars, four Munster championships and the 1998 Hurler of the Years award.

"To stay going as long as he did and to be as strong and competitive as he was took a special individual," Flynn told The Irish Examiner. "Tony Browne is a special individual.

"It was Tony's dedication that sustained him over the 23 years. It is hugely admirable that he stayed going for as long as he did.

"Tony always adapted with the game. You see the retirement age lowering all the time, but because Tony adapted with the game he was able to stay going and stay competitive. He was never a passenger. Sometimes you felt he was carrying you.

"His reading of the game was immense. I have seen very few players to read a game as well as he did. That is what allowed him to stay going, that is what made him so difficult to mark.

"In a club game there last week he hit eight points. That says it all really about him. It was always great reassurance to have him on the pitch." Tweet

Most Read Stories