Former Kilkenny captain Joey Holden has revealed his reason behind retiring from inter-county hurling.

Just days after helping his native Ballyhale Shamrocks to a fourth Kilkenny SHC title in-a-row last month, the 31-year-old announced his decision to retire from duty with the Cats.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s AIB Leinster club hurling final between Ballyhale and Clough-Ballacolla of Laois, Kilkenny’s last All-Ireland SHC winning captain said he knew his time in August was up after his county’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Cork.

“Once Kilkenny was over, I knew that was it but I was keen to get back with the club and concentrate on that. I was able to put it to the back of my mind and just focus on the club,” said Holden.

“Once we won the county final, I was keen to get that message out because I know that the start of next season starts [in December], and the planning and preparation that the management team and players have to do in pre-season.

“So, I just wanted to make sure that everyone was aware that I wouldn’t be a part of that.”

He added: “I just felt it was the right time for me. I was never going to be hurling up until I was 35 or 36. I was satisfied with what I’d given. I didn’t really start a whole lot last year. I just felt I wouldn’t be giving that 100%, 99% would be no good for me. That 1% is the difference. It can be very difficult to give the best version of yourself if you’re not 100% committed.”

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