Kavanagh calls time on glittering Cats career

Kilkenny’s Michael Kavanagh, one of the most decorated hurlers of the modern era, has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

Kavanagh, who won eight All-Ireland medals and a staggering 13 Leinster Championships in a glittering inter-county career, is the latest Kilkenny stalwart to call time on his time with the Cats, following in the footsteps of recent retirees James Fitzpatrick and Eddie Brennan.

“There comes a time when you know it is time to go. That time has come for me,” Kavanagh told the Kilkenny People.

The 32-year-old joined a select group of players with eight Celtic Crosses in 2011, although he collected his last two All-Ireland winner’s medals as a substitute.

The St Lachtain’s clubman was drafted into the Kilkenny Senior panel in 1998 and made his Championship debut against Dublin that summer.

“It is a big decision, a painful decision, but everyone knows the end of the road has to come some time,” the four-time GAA All Star continued. “Kilkenny are in a good place now, and it is time for me to hand over to the next generation.

“I made the best contribution I could, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The years just flew by.”