TIPPERARY’S BRILLIANT 2016 championship adventure came to an end in Croke Park today and one of the key players in their summer run will not be available next year.
Captain Peter Acheson is set to go travelling and is planning to ultimately settle in Dubai.
The Moyle Rovers player has postponed his plans in recent seasons due to commitments to Tipperary.
“I was supposed to be gone two years ago but I was convinced twice to stay back,” he remarked to Newstalk’s Oisin Langan after today’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Mayo.
“I’m glad I did now in fairness. Myself and girlfriend are going to Dubai. I’m only 26, if I’m gone for a year or two, I might take the boots back out at some stage maybe.
“I’ve been playing now for seven years. Look if I don’t go now, I’ll never go. It’s just a pity that this is when Tipp are driving on, it’s a pity we didn’t do it seven years ago.
“I’m happy out that I was a part of it and I’ve no doubt that the lads inside in the dressing-room will drive it on.”
Acheson also revealed he was carrying a hand injury entering the game and is confident that Tipperary can build on a progressive campaign.
“I wasn’t too happy about today to be honest. I actually broke my hand during the week, playing with a heavy enough injection.
“I wasn’t too happy with my performance today but the lads were brilliant and it was just a pity we couldn’t do it.
“I think this team is very young, we’ve a lot of winners in this team from underage and I definitely think we can compete.
“I just want to thank everyone that came (to support us). They’re getting behind us big time now and it’s great to see.”
Tipperary selector Paul Fitzgerald admitted to The42 that Acheson will be a major loss but that the squad have no qualms with his decision to go travelling.
“It’s a life decision, himself and his girlfriend made earlier in the year. Fair play to him, he put it off all year and we wish him the best of luck.
“He owes Tipp football nothing. He’s a brilliant player, a brilliant captain all year. Obviously he’s a massive, massive loss to us. You’d be kind of half hoping it doesn’t work out for him but if it does, we wish him all the best.
“It’s just something he feels he has to do and best of luck to him. Peter’s there since 08, 09. Part of that U21 team that won the Munster title in 2010. He’s given massive commitment to Tipperary football. A brilliant player, he’d get on any team in the country.”
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