By Cian O'Connell

Tipperary goalkeeper Darren Gleeson has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The Portroe custodian won two All Irelands, six Munster Championships, and one Allianz Hurling League with the Premier County.

“After 10 years on the Tipperary senior hurling panel, I have decided that now is the right time to announce my retirement from inter-county hurling," Gleeson said.

"It was a great honour and privilege for me to play with Tipperary and I will greatly miss being involved with the special group of people that make up the Tipperary senior hurling panel, management and backroom team. "I have many great memories and made many lifelong friendships over the last decade."

Gleeson acknowledged the role Portroe played in his sporting career. "I also want to thank the managers and backroom teams who were so very supportive of me as well as Tipperary County Board and Tipperary Supporters Club, both of which have been generous in their support of players and teams," Gleeson commented.

"I am particularly grateful to my fellow Portroe clubman, Liam Sheedy, who invited me to join the Tipperary senior hurling panel when he became manager in late 2007. I am also grateful to the GPA for their support and advice over the years.

"It was a great privilege for me to represent the Portroe club when I played with Tipperary. I want to thank everybody there for their unswerving support, loyalty and encouragement and I look forward to continuing to play with Portroe."