'I left on my own terms'
Kilkenny's TJ Reid celebrates ©INPHO/Leah Scholes
TJ Reid has stressed that it was his decision and no-one else’s to bring the curtain down on his glittering 20-year Kilkenny hurling career.
The seven-time All-Ireland SHC winner announced his retirement last Friday, just days after indicating that he would give the Cats another year. In an interview with the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast, the 38-year-old revealed how he wanted to concentrate on club hurling and spend more time with his young family.
“I have no regrets. I didn't leave through injuries. I left on my own terms,” Reid said.
“I was ready for it. When you're just touching 39, after 20 years in the jersey, you're ready for it.
“I'm very much steeped in Kilkenny. It was a privilege to represent the jersey for 20 years. Did I know when I started in 2007 that I'd be here 20 seasons later? I didn't. But I felt it was my duty every year to be ready for Kilkenny.
"A few days before I announced it on Friday, the subconscious mind was kicking in, and sleep wasn't great. I have to say, since Friday, I've slept with a smile on my face.”
The sharpshooter added: "There's never a right or wrong time to do it. It's a reflection on where I am and where the new group of Kilkenny players are going.
"For me, it (the decision came) was after winning the county title. I shared a moment in Andy’s (pub) in Ballyhale and I said, after winning the last two county finals in-a-row, ‘this is a great place to be’.”
