JJ Delaney, winner of nine All-Ireland medals with Kilkenny, has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
The Fenians defender, who joined the Cats panel in 2001, was Player of the Year in 2003 and collected seven All-Star medals throughout his distinguished career.
Delaney joins David Herity, Aidan Fogarty and Brian Hogan who have all announced their departures in recent days. JJ Delaney's statement can be read in full below:
I wish to announce that I am retiring from the Kilkenny senior hurling panel. I have enjoyed my time being part of such a talented group of players and management teams. I wish to thank Brian Cody and his selectors for allowing me to play hurling at the highest level. I also thank the Kilkenny county board for their support on and off the field. Thanks to The GPA they been a great help to my development in both my sporting and professional career.
My father, family, close friends and my girlfriend Aisling have been a huge source of encouragement and support to me over the years. I thank my club The Fenians, my former teachers and various coaches for instilling in me a love for the greatest field game in the world. It's been amazing the encouragement the Kilkenny supporters have given me down through the years and for this I thank you all. I am grateful to my employer Kingspan Insulation for their support.
I wish the Kilkenny senior hurling panel and management team continued success in the future.
JJ Delaney
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