Tennyson retires from inter-county hurling

John Tennyson has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The Kilkenny defender, 28, first joined the county panel in 2005 and won All-Ireland titles with the Cats in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012. He didn't play for Kilkenny in 2011 as he struggled with a cruciate knee ligament injury that season.

The Carrickshock man played in the half-back line for Kilkenny throughout his career, alternating between centre back and half back.

He was full-back on the Kilkenny All-Ireland winning minor teams of 2002 and 2003, coming through the ranks alongside the likes of Michael Rice, Richie Power and Michael Fennelly.

"It's disappointing but that's the way it goes, I didn't feel that I was in competition for a starting place," he said.

"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."

Tennyson lost his place in the Kilkenny team last year, and has struggled to win it back so far this year, having battled with a hamstring injury earlier in the season.

As well as all his All-Ireland senior medals and two minor, Tennyson won two All-Ireland U21 titles and an All-Ireland College's title with St. Kieran's.