Mullane rubbishes retirement reports

Waterford's John Mullane has confirmed to RTÉ Radio that he has not retired from inter-county hurling.

Mullane has decided to take a break from the game, but he expects to be back in training with Waterford within five to six weeks.

The four-time GAA All Star says he will re-join the squad after St Patrick’s Day and could feature in the latter stages of the Allianz Hurling League.

“I sat down with the management two weeks ago and I basically just told them that I needed five to six weeks,” he told RTÉ Radio's Sport At 7 programme.

“I was in since January the first and I was finding it difficult at home. I have two young girls at home and I was going into training and I just wasn’t enjoying it.

“From my own point of view I felt it was the best decision going forward for 2012 that I’d continue on with the team but do a different programme, (to) continue with the weights and come in in five or six weeks time.”

He added: “I’m basically just trying to shorten the year as much as I can for myself because I just can’t find enough time in the day or the time in the week at the moment.

“It’s more for myself going forward for 2012 that it might suit myself and please God Waterford.”

Meanwhile, Mullane said he fully understood the reasons why Lar Corbett announced his retirement from hurling aged just 30.

Corbett, the 2010 Hurler of the Year, called time on his Tipperary career last night, citing business and work commitments for his decision.

“To be honest with you I am not one bit surprised. I do know Lar from a couple of the All Star trips and I know him in general from a couple of functions. I am not one bit surprised,” Mullane added.

“He’s his own man and I just feel the way the inter-county set-up is going at the moment the commitment that’s required is just astonishing.

“The bar is being raised every year and I can fully see where Lar is coming from, that he felt he couldn’t give the time and the commitment.

“It’s an unbelieavable amount of time that is required to play at the level that is required today. Lar decided to make that decision and I can see fully why he did.”