“After careful consideration having focused on playing for my club Glen Rovers in recent weeks, I have made the decision to step back from inter-county hurling,” Horgan begins.
He bows out with four All-Star awards (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019) and four Munster senior medals (2014, 2017, 2018, 2025), having made his senior championship debut in June 2008.
The Glen Rovers man also departs as hurling’s all-time top-scorer in both championship (32-683) and league (26-674).
Horgan’s last inter-county appearance was July’s All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary.
“I have worn the red jersey for 18 years and it has been the privilege of my life to represent the people of Cork during that time,” the heartfelt statement continues.
“I will always be grateful for the support the Cork people have given our team in good times and bad. They are truly the greatest supporters in Ireland.
“Up the Rebels.”
Advertisement
Horgan with his son, Jack, after this year's All-Ireland semi-final win. Leah Scholes / INPHO
Leah Scholes / INPHO / INPHO
Cork GAA later paid tribute to Horgan, hailing a “glittering 18 year career in the red and white” and “one of the most accomplished players in the game, and the talisman of the Cork team”.
Their statement reads: “The list of achievements over his career is testament to his greatness. Yet for all this array of medals and awards, he will perhaps be remembered best as the embodiment of the aspirations of a new generation of Cork supporters who, unlike previous generations, had not been reared on All-Ireland victories, but who nonetheless craved for success, and followed the Cork team in their thousands.
“For this generation, and for all Cork supporters, the popular name ‘Hoggie’ became synonymous with their hopes and dreams of glory.
“While a senior All-Ireland medal sadly eluded Patrick, his name is enshrined with the greats of Cork hurling. His departure will cause much sadness on Leeside, but will also prompt an outpouring of pride in the wonderful memories and great days that Patrick’s exploits inspired.”
Cork GAA Chairman Pat Horgan led the tributes. “This is a sad day for Cork supporters, coming so soon after the huge disappointment of the All-Ireland final.
“Patrick Horgan can justly lay claim to be one of the greats of Cork hurling. To him, and to his family who supported him over his career, I say, on behalf of the Cork GAA family, thank you for everything.”
Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan added: “Patrick Horgan became an icon for a new generation of Cork supporters in the 2000s, who flocked in their thousands to support the Cork hurlers.
“His commitment, dedication and pursuit of excellence saw him become an inspiration to so many. He is a credit to his family, club and county. We thank him for the wonderful memories.”
Celebrating 2025 Munster success with Shane Kingston. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Patrick Horgan’s full retirement statement:
After careful consideration having focused on playing for my club Glen Rovers in recent weeks, I have made the decision to step back from inter-county hurling.
Firstly, I would like to thank my family for their love, support and encouragement over the years – my wife Ashley and son Jack, my father Pat, my mother Ann, sisters AnnMarie and Audrey, my brother Johnny, my nephews, niece and my in-laws. Without you all I wouldn’t be where I am today.
A huge thank you to my friends and teammates past and present who have always had my back, and to my club Glen Rovers who have backed and supported me throughout the years.
Thank you to my employer Dulux Paints Ireland, who have always been understanding and supportive of my hurling career. Thank you to Blackwater Motors also for their incredible support and generosity over the years.
I would also like to thank Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Kieran Kingston, John Meyler and Pat Ryan in particular, as well as all the men and lifelong friends I played with in the red and white. I wish them and the new manager Ben O’Connor the very best in the coming season.
I have worn the red jersey for 18 years and it has been the privilege of my life to represent the people of Cork during that time. I will always be grateful for the support the Cork people have given our team in good times and bad. They are truly the greatest supporters in Ireland.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
34 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Cork legend Patrick Horgan retires from inter-county hurling
LAST UPDATE | 23 Sep
CORK LEGEND PATRICK Horgan has retired from inter-county hurling, aged 37.
The long-serving forward announced the news on Instagram this evening, with a statement captioned “over and out”.
“After careful consideration having focused on playing for my club Glen Rovers in recent weeks, I have made the decision to step back from inter-county hurling,” Horgan begins.
He bows out with four All-Star awards (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019) and four Munster senior medals (2014, 2017, 2018, 2025), having made his senior championship debut in June 2008.
The Glen Rovers man also departs as hurling’s all-time top-scorer in both championship (32-683) and league (26-674).
Horgan’s last inter-county appearance was July’s All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary.
“I have worn the red jersey for 18 years and it has been the privilege of my life to represent the people of Cork during that time,” the heartfelt statement continues.
“I will always be grateful for the support the Cork people have given our team in good times and bad. They are truly the greatest supporters in Ireland.
“Up the Rebels.”
Cork GAA later paid tribute to Horgan, hailing a “glittering 18 year career in the red and white” and “one of the most accomplished players in the game, and the talisman of the Cork team”.
Their statement reads: “The list of achievements over his career is testament to his greatness. Yet for all this array of medals and awards, he will perhaps be remembered best as the embodiment of the aspirations of a new generation of Cork supporters who, unlike previous generations, had not been reared on All-Ireland victories, but who nonetheless craved for success, and followed the Cork team in their thousands.
“For this generation, and for all Cork supporters, the popular name ‘Hoggie’ became synonymous with their hopes and dreams of glory.
“While a senior All-Ireland medal sadly eluded Patrick, his name is enshrined with the greats of Cork hurling. His departure will cause much sadness on Leeside, but will also prompt an outpouring of pride in the wonderful memories and great days that Patrick’s exploits inspired.”
Cork GAA Chairman Pat Horgan led the tributes. “This is a sad day for Cork supporters, coming so soon after the huge disappointment of the All-Ireland final.
“Patrick Horgan can justly lay claim to be one of the greats of Cork hurling. To him, and to his family who supported him over his career, I say, on behalf of the Cork GAA family, thank you for everything.”
Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan added: “Patrick Horgan became an icon for a new generation of Cork supporters in the 2000s, who flocked in their thousands to support the Cork hurlers.
“His commitment, dedication and pursuit of excellence saw him become an inspiration to so many. He is a credit to his family, club and county. We thank him for the wonderful memories.”
Patrick Horgan’s full retirement statement:
After careful consideration having focused on playing for my club Glen Rovers in recent weeks, I have made the decision to step back from inter-county hurling.
Firstly, I would like to thank my family for their love, support and encouragement over the years – my wife Ashley and son Jack, my father Pat, my mother Ann, sisters AnnMarie and Audrey, my brother Johnny, my nephews, niece and my in-laws. Without you all I wouldn’t be where I am today.
A huge thank you to my friends and teammates past and present who have always had my back, and to my club Glen Rovers who have backed and supported me throughout the years.
Thank you to my employer Dulux Paints Ireland, who have always been understanding and supportive of my hurling career. Thank you to Blackwater Motors also for their incredible support and generosity over the years.
I would also like to thank Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Kieran Kingston, John Meyler and Pat Ryan in particular, as well as all the men and lifelong friends I played with in the red and white. I wish them and the new manager Ben O’Connor the very best in the coming season.
I have worn the red jersey for 18 years and it has been the privilege of my life to represent the people of Cork during that time. I will always be grateful for the support the Cork people have given our team in good times and bad. They are truly the greatest supporters in Ireland.
Up the Rebels.
- Updated 9.20pm with Cork GAA statement
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
GAA Hoggie over and out