Definitely the biggest retirement that Kilkenny could have avoided. And that's no disrespect to Brian Hogan, Tommy Walsh, Aidan Fogarty or David Herity. They were all great servants to Kilkenny's cause. JJ is a massive loss. A truly brilliant hurler. That phrase is thrown about too often, but JJ Delaney does deserve it. In my opinion, King Henry's retirement (if it occurs) won't be as big a loss, simply because Shefflin isn't a mainstay on the team anymore, unlike JJ Delaney.

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 05/12/2014 21:35:56    1677010

I don't think he burst past him 1914, more like JJ turned the quickest and rather than fall over Callinan, who was a bit slow into his stride, JJ just puts his hand out to get his balance rather than run into Callinan and give a free. The age old mantra to defenders "don't foul" clearly demonstrated. Look at it again in Fast forward and you will see it clear.

topofthetown (Carlow) - Posts: 64 - 06/12/2014 09:17:20    1677020

I second that wexico, the other retirements would have a questionable impact but JJ was a dead cert to start. He will be really missed next year.

Fantastic player, himself, tommy and shefflin would walk on a team of the best hurlers of the past 25 years and maybe ever. All the best JJ.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 06/12/2014 09:57:24    1677031

Sad to see all members of games best ever half back line now retired. Often think in recent years everyone talks too much about Shefflin compared to other Kilkenny greats of this time because he has 10 medals compared to them having 1 or 2 less.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1414 - 06/12/2014 12:48:04    1677057

Killarney, that's it exactly- no ref could ever spot every subtle foul and in this case JJ tugged him back - enough to slow him down but not enough to make it look like a foul in real time- part of the art! Like Tommy Walah interfering with a hurl in the air, only takes a tiny touch.

I was making a point a couple of years ago to a friend that the way to combat this as a forward is to stand behind a back and do unto the back as he would hope to do to you! Cyril Donnellan did it to Walsh in the drawn all-Ireland 2012 and Galway moved him off him then for some daft reason. Delaney famously beat D Shanahan in the air, overcoming a height disadvantage, but imagine if Shanahan had stood behind him instead of the other way around...all the 'interference' advantage then lies with the forward and furthermore if you catch the ball you're inside the defender. Not picking on the two Kk men either here, just illustrating a point or two!

1914 (Clare) - Posts: 92 - 06/12/2014 12:50:45    1677058

any word on Jackie Tyrrell?? will he be next or will he go again?

sad to see all these legends go..

nice comments yesterday between Ken Mc Grath and JJ...

MURPHB33 (Dublin) - Posts: 166 - 06/12/2014 12:55:09    1677059

as a few posters have said there must be some doubts over a few others now such as jackie tyrrell, shefflin, eoin larkin and possibly michael rice.

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 06/12/2014 13:40:35    1677065

The half back/half forward standing behind always has the advantage and especially the half back. I think half forwards always get a raw deal in post mortems. If I was managing a team and my half back line got cleaned I'd be asking serious questions of them.

It is sad to see all these greats retire but it make room for the Dowlings, Hickeys, Tony Kelly, Brendan Maher etc to leave their mark on the game. Limerick and Clare must be disgusted with their championship draw because these two will really fancy their chances of winning Liam next year. Especially Limerick, because whatever about losing to Kilkenny the important thing for them to take from that match was they performed to a really high standard and had no luck in that match. If Limerick can match their 2014 performances (Cork excluded) they have a great chance of finally winning another all-Ireland. If we don't win it I wouldn't begrudge them an well overdue one.

Of course where the fun starts is Clare are clear and present danger. Young lads winning all-ireland usually don't do well the following year but come back with a bang after that. Whoever meets Cork/Waterford in the Munster final will have earned their place. There is so much to look forward to in 2015.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 06/12/2014 18:32:10    1677097

This is the first Kilkenny man to retire whose absence will have a serious impact on next years team (and Im including King Henry in that). Still make them favourites for the title though.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 06/12/2014 18:38:37    1677099

Fantastic player best of luck to him.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 06/12/2014 21:16:59    1677136

Fantastic player best of luck to him.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 06/12/2014 21:17:56    1677137