Updated at 21.30
HENRY SHEFFLIN IS enjoying the “novelty” of inter-county retirement while it lasts.
He knows that once Kilkenny return to championship action, the sense of freedom he’s now savouring will most likely seem very different.
Shefflin made his first media appearance since announcing his retirement on Tuesday, and confirmed that he is in talks to begin life as a pundit later this summer.
No matter how difficult it is to watch on from the stands, the 10-time All-Ireland champion intends to be there when the Cats open the defence of their Leinster title on 21 June.
“It’s only now when you are building up to the championship and when Kilkenny start playing, I think that’s when it will really hit home,” he said.
At the moment it is a bit of a novelty. It’s great and there is a bit of freedom. Then the weekend obviously is brilliant and at the moment, the club have given a few of us a bit of a break and it is brilliant.
“I was thinking I wouldn’t take a break but from a mental point of view it’s great, and there is a freshness from not having to go out and play games and perform.
“I’ve planned a holiday for the summer and that is very much a big thing on the agenda.
“Otherwise it’s been calm enough and just enjoying family life more than anything else. I watched the two Kilkenny games on the box and that’s been it.”
After 16 years of senior inter-county hurling, it was a chance meeting with Ballyhale Shamrocks clubmate that reinforced that Shefflin is now an outsider looking in.
“One evening last week I was out with the dog actually, walking my road and TJ lives on the same road. Next thing I met him and he was heading in training.
At that stage it kind of hits you. You’re so used to doing it. Of course I will miss that, there’s no doubt about it.”
Still, there are no regrets.
“I’ve already said, I’m very comfortable in the decision so I’ll miss going in there but you know yourself that it’s not the right thing to be doing.”
Henry Shefflin was speaking yesterday at the launch of Kellogg’s renewed sponsorship deal with GAA Cúl Camps. Details were also revealed about ‘Kellogg’s Powering Play’, a new fun game based nutritional workshop.
