Fitzpatrick Retires

Kilkenny's James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The 26-year-old told RTÉ Sport: "2011 was a fantastic year for Kilkenny, but personally I wasn't rewarded for my efforts.

"It's been a wonderful eight years to be involved with Kilkenny hurling and I achieved every hurling goal and more.

"I'll continue to enjoy my club hurling with Ballyhale Shamrocks and I will take this opportunity to achieve new goals that I set out for myself."

Fitzpatrick captained the All-Ireland winning Kilkenny team in 2008 and retires as the holder of five All-Ireland medals, three National League titles, three All-Stars and a Young Hurler of the Year Award.

Seems a strange decision at such a young age!!!!!

Cody never forgives! Cha teaching in Dublin ... hmmm ....

Parouisa wrote:Cody never forgives! Cha teaching in Dublin ... hmmm ....

Cha certainly gives the impression that his relationship with Cody isnt that great!!!

To be retiring at 26 with 5 All Irelands is some achievement all the same.

No real loss to Kilkenny. Very much surplus to requirements

Sadly from the aspect of Fitzpatrick's physical attributes, Kilkenny appear to have gone for the more athletic type around the middle of the field.
Had he had enough patience, he may have re-invented himself as a half-forward, where a vacancy may occur in 2012.

The game has progressed beyond Cha. There was a touch of bitterness in his farewell comments but also an acknowledgement that he lacks the pace for the highest level. It's well known some of his off field behaviour when he was younger upset Cody and Cody is an unforgiving fook.
Still only 26, he's probably made the right call here. More to life than hurling

Absolute legend of a hurler, the fact he is teaching in dublin may come into effect through a bit of pursuasion!

The fella is only 26 seems like hes been around for a decade, maybe he just wants some space and will return to inter county hurling, who with though!

Eddie Brennan has called time on his inter-county career.....Kilkenny seem to be in disarray..

RTE news link not functioning properly...Grrr

Boxtyeater wrote:
RTE news link not functioning properly...Grrr

Boxtyitis????

One of the greats, without a doubt.

Eddie would make a Top 20 hurlers of all time list in my opinion. Third most influential player in the team known as the greatest of all time (behind King Henry and Tommy Walsh).

Blessed with instant pace and a deadly eye for goal. Incredible player.

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:One of the greats, without a doubt.

Blessed with instant pace and a deadly eye for goal. Incredible player.

On radio just now with Des Cahill....A wonderful example to the youth of Ireland, modest to a fault ( I was a minor cog in a great wheel), un-assuming and clearly thankful for the great days and friends the game has given him....Top man...

"Even though we looked cosy, all isn't rosy,
On the banks of the Suir that flows down through Mooncoin" Diddly eye di diddly eye.....

Boxtyeater has had it confirmed to him today that all isn't sweetness and light down by the Nore. A former captain who failed to get a starting berth yesterday has thrown the head at Cody and threatened to walk from the panel.
Conciliatory talks that involved even their medical team papered over the cracks for yesterday.
Richie Hogan's second of petulance may have provided a sticking plaster over the wound, but time will tell....

Shades of Charlie Carter spring to mind.
They're on the slide in any event.

TJ Reid?

Fits the bill but can have no complaints. Has never built on his earlier promise ....

I thought someone had started a thread about the Louth boss stepping down.

Perhaps now we've seen the last of this "iconic" (to Cork folk) figure. Guff about him being one of the great wing backs of the past 20 years is widely off the mark. The poor relation in terms of hurling ability of his 2 other h/b partners ie: Gardiner and Curran.

Granted he came to the game a bit late, but only his unique athleticism kept him on the team. He may have been more suited to a career in SIPTU given his trenchant positions in the many Cork disputes, but his lack of a beard and continuous use of "ya know" may have derailed this plan.

Well behind Liam Doyle, Daly, Whelehan, Tommy, JJ, Browne and a raft of others in terms of an outstanding wing back but, shur' good luck to the guy.

Noel Hickey has called time on his inter-county career.

A massive figure despite his slight stature in the Kilkenny defense over the past 12 years, he leaves the game with an impressive haul of silverware and awards and I bid him well in his retirement. Tommy Walsh is favourite for the No.3 jersey going forward...

Tony Browne has called time on his career with Waterford. A top class wing-back who never failed to reach his own high standards, he'll be fondly remembered in the Décies and further afield.

The word "legendary" will doubtly surface in the next few days, Cyril Farrell will squeeze it in at least twice on Sunday. The phrase is overused, particularly in regard to Browne, but he's bloody closeto it.

A 100% genuine guy, the best of luck to him.

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