LIMERICK’S SEAMUS HICKEY has expressed his disappointment at the retirement of Niall Moran but admits he is not surprised by the decision of his former teammate to call time on his inter-county career.
Hickey, Moran and Donal O’Grady were the only Limerick players who featured in the 2007 All-Ireland senior hurling final, that were involved when they won last July’s Munster final against Cork.
The retirement of 31 year-old Moran was confirmed over the weekend and Hickey believes it is evidence of the difficulty in committing to inter-county hurling as players get older.
“I’m not surprised as it was due to personal circumstances. The further we get along, the harder it is to make hurling your priority. The closer you get to 30 – and it’s something I realise – the priorities start to shift.
“Personally I’d be very disappointed. Niall has been an ever-present during my Limerick hurling career. Through thick and thin, he’s been one of constants. He’ll be one of those people I’ll miss a lot.”
Hickey expressed his delight that Moran landed a coveted first Munster senior hurling medal before he retired.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that he did get his Munster medal before he left. A lot of people in Limerick will look at the likes of Niall and be very, very happy that he won that medal. He can be delighted with the legacy he leaves behind.”
