Kilkenny's John Tennyson has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling at the age of just 28.

The holder of six All-Ireland medals, Tennyson has been plagued by injury in recent years, only making one appearance in last year's championship as a sub against Dublin. He suffered a hamstring injury earlier this year and has decided enough is enough.

"It's disappointing, but that's the way it goes," he told the Irish Examiner.

"I didn't feel that I was in competition for a starting place. My time is up and it's a good time to go. I'm hoping that I can free up more time to give to the club.

"I spoke with the management at the start of this week and told them, they wished me the best and I wished them the best."

The Carrickshock clubman made his senior debut for the Cats in 2005 after winning All-Ireland minor medals in 2002 and 2003. He was centre back on the Kilkenny team that defeated Cork in the 2006 All-Ireland senior final, and also won an All-Ireland U21 medal in the same year.

He was ever-present at left half back when the Cats completed a four-in-a-row of Liam MacCarthy Cup successes in 2009, and famously played in the following year's All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary with a cruciate ligament injury.

In addition, Tennyson was nominated for All Star awards in 2006 and '09. Tweet

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