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John Mullane. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
Walking Away

Captaincy not an issue for Mullane

The De La Salle forward has revealed that he knew during pre-season training last year that 2012 would be his final season with the county side.

JOHN MULLANE INSISTS that the captaincy of Waterford was not an issue that motivated his decision to retire from the inter-county game.

Mullane brought the curtain down on his senior hurling career with the Déise last night.

But speaking to WLR this morning, the De La Salle attacker was adamant that not being named captain of the county was not a factor that influenced his move.

And he revealed that he knew during pre-season training last year that 2012 would be his final season with the county side.

“That never affected me. I met Michael (Ryan) there during the week and Michael spoke to me in September and he offered me the captaincy.

“And I told Michael that the best thing he could do was to give the captaincy to a 25, 26 year-old going forward who it would stand to. I would have liked to between the ages of 26 and 30. But that wasn’t to be.

“I remember we were running up and down the hills in Carriganore one night last year. I was with two of my buddies that I started out with, Eoin Kelly and Eoin McGrath, and Bangers (Shane) Casey of Dunhill. There was the four of us.

“I think we did about 10 or 12 of them. I remember turning around to the lads and we were physically getting sick. I kind of knew myself then that I was going to see out the year and that was it.”

Mullane conceded that he has the physical ability to stay playing at an elite level but the commitment has taken a toll on him mentally in recent yeras.

“Physically I feel like I could go for another year or two but mentally it’s after taking over and it’s after breaking me. I just feel sapped by it.

“There’s a certain element of pressure in it too. Over the last couple of years, I’m after putting myself under an amount of pressure to constantly go out and perform, and to not leave anyone down.

“I just wanted to leave that go. It’s easy for people to say you should give it another year or two. But when you’re in there, it’s tough out.

“There’s the level of commitment too and there’s family reasons as well. It’s a young man’s game now. The bar is being raised every year. I don’t know where it’s all going to end. I think Croke Park really have to have a look at it.

“I had a moment to myself yesterday when I went up to my room and started bawling my eyes out. I was just glad to be part of a golden era to play with great Waterford teams and great Waterford players.”

Mullane is to remain involved with his club De La Salle, who he has won three county titles with over the last five years, and has expressed an interest in getting involved in management in the future.

“Anyone that does know me, knows that I’m very passionate about the game. I think any dressing-room I will go into in the future, I’ll bring that winning mentality into it.

“It’s an area I would like to consider in the near future. I’ll go off and get a bit of experience, and start helping out with the club in a few small ways. I’ve three or four years left please God, playing at a high standard with De La Salle.”

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