TIPPERARY’S JAMES WOODLOCK has called time on his nine-year inter-county hurling career at the age of 29.
The Drom-Inch clubman was first selected by the Premier County against Limerick in 2006 during their National Hurling League campaign.
He went on to win two Munster titles and a League title against Galway in 2008.
The following year, however, Woodlock had to take ten months out of the game after breaking his right leg in several places.
In a statement today, he said:
“It has been a great honour for me to have been part of Tipperary hurling teams at minor, under 21 and senior level but the time has now come for me to announce my retirement from the inter-county scene.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Tipperary senior hurling panel and I am very grateful to the managers who gave me the opportunity to play for the county.
“I also want to thank the players, I have huge admiration for them, greatly enjoyed playing and training with them and have made many valued friendships among them. I would also like to say a sincere thanks to the backroom teams and Tipperary County Board who always provided great assistance and co-operation particularly after I was seriously injured in 2009.
“My club, Drom and Inch, has always been very supportive of me and I want to thank everybody in the club for their great encouragement at all times. Now that my inter-county career is over, I look forward to continuing to play with Drom and Inch.
“My parents and brothers have also been a great support to me at all times and I want to thank them sincerely. My wife, Michelle, has always been a rock of support and I want to thank her for all the sacrifices she has made in the interests of my hurling career. I look forward to spending more time with her and our daughter Hazel.
“I wish the Tipperary panel the very best of luck for 2016 and beyond.”
