BREAKING: Tipperary hurling legend announces retirement

One of the finest hurlers of this century has announced his retirement as a Tipperary senior hurler.

The 2019 All-Ireland winning captain Seamus Callanan won three All-Ireland's with his county, as well as four All-Star awards and is a former Hurler of the Year.

The Drom-Inch stalwart announced his inter-county retirement this morning. He turns 35 later this September, and despite his form in the club championship, has decided that now is the right time to bow out.

Injury hampered his preparations in recent seasons, but at the same time he still played a key role this year for Liam Cahill and lined out in five of Tipperary's six championship games.

Against Offaly he struck his 40th championship goal since he first made the breakthrough back in 2008, it is a record apart and he has always made the headlines. In 2010 he came on during the All-Ireland final and hit two points against a five-in-a-row seeking Kilkenny. He picked up the ‘Man of the Match’ award in his next All-Ireland final win hitting 13 points, an incredible nine from play, against the Cats again and then in 2019, once more getting the better of Kilkenny in the final, he captained the team.

He released a statement today through Tipperary County Board that began as follows: 

"After 16 years as a Tipperary senior hurler, I have decided to announce my retirement from Inter-County Hurling. Playing for Tipperary has always been a huge privilege for me, and I am very grateful to have had such an enjoyable career with so many great memories.

"The highlight of my playing career was undoubtedly captaining Tipperary to All-Ireland success in 2019. Coming back to Tipperary and Drom and Inch with the Liam McCarthy Cup is something I will treasure forever. I will always be very grateful to Liam Sheedy for entrusting me with the role of captain.

"I wish to thank all the Tipperary players I had the pleasure of calling my teammates since 2008. I have made lifelong friends and feel honoured to have taken to the pitch with some of the greatest hurlers who ever wore the Tipperary jersey. I am also grateful to all the managers and backroom teams who gave me so much support and guidance through the years.

"I have been fortunate to meet many great people during my time hurling with Tipperary and through the GAA, but Eamon O’Shea was special amongst them all. As a mentor and friend, his guidance had a significant impact on my career, and I want to thank him most sincerely.

"A special thank you to the Tipperary County Board, Tipperary Supporters Club, Tipperary team sponsors and the GPA who have always been very supportive. I wish to thank each and every Tipperary supporter, who I am proud to have been able to represent in wearing the blue and gold.

"To my club, Drom and Inch, who laid the foundations for my career, my sincerest thanks to you all. Representing our club on the inter county stage has been something that has always filled me with immense pride. I couldn’t be associated with a better group of people, and I look forward to lining out with Drom and Inch for many years to come.

"My Parents, John and Mary, my sister, Fiona, and my brother John, have been instrumental to the success of my hurling career. Their constant encouragement and guidance throughout the highs and lows has been so greatly appreciated and there are no words to describe my gratitude to them.

"My fiancée, Lauren, has been another constant support through the highs and the lows and has made many sacrifices to enable me to give my full commitment to hurling. I want to thank her for all she has done for me and being able to share many successes with her has made my time with Tipperary extra special.

"Finally, I wish Tipperary all the very best for 2024. I have no doubt that the players and management have the ability and commitment to bring more success to the county and I look forward to being amongst the Tipperary supporters cheering them on."

The statement also said that Tipperary senior hurling manager Liam Cahill thanked Seamus for his outstanding commitment to Tipperary over a long and distinguished career in the blue and gold. Liam said “I have been privileged to have known and managed Seamus if only for a short period of time. Seamus leaves us with countless memorable moments and a legacy that will inspire future generations of young hurlers not just in Tipperary but across Ireland, he owes nothing to Tipperary and I wish him the very best in to the future”.

Also commenting on the retirement Tipperary County Board Chairman Joe Kennedy said “Seamus Callanan will always be remembered as one of the best forwards of this generation. His unique goal scoring ability brought great joy to Tipperary Supporters. Seamie has been  a great  leader for many years and we wish him well in his retirement”.

The release finished with Tipperary GAA thanking Seamus for all the memories and for his selfless commitment to Tipperary through the years. 

You can read the press release here:

https://tipperary.gaa.ie/seamus-callanan-retirement-announcement/