TJ REID SAYS Kilkenny’s “four or five years of rebuilding” were a factor in his decision to retire after 20 seasons representing the black and amber.

The seven-time All-Ireland winner, who turns 39 later this month, initially thought of stepping away amid Ballyhale Shamrocks’ county final celebrations.

Asked if anyone tried to change his mind, Reid explained in a GAA.ie interview: “Nothing came in. It was sin é. I knew after the county final.

“Unfortunately in sport, it’s always dictated by age. People are always asking, will TJ retire? Will he go again? You get to 35 and that’s just a common question now of anyone. 

“I was very stubborn to prove people wrong, that you can perform at your best at whatever age, 36, 37, 38, 39. 

“People are asking, so it’s always in the back of your mind. And this year with Kilkenny, it was a poor year for our standards. 

“I won another county final with Ballyhale Shamrocks and I was in Andy’s Bar in Ballyhale, probably around 11 o’clock, after having a few pints, and I looked across the bar, and I see all the young lads, past and younger players, celebrating and having pints together. 

“I had a little thought to myself that this is the best dressing room I’m in at the moment. It’s been the best dressing room for the last 10 years, in terms of what we’ve done with the club.

“The leaders in the club, the likes of Joey Holden, they’re still playing with me at 36 years of age. The new management team are all past players with us. So I knew I was in the best dressing room that I wanted to be in, with ambitious players, players who are hungry for success.

“And it was about, look, Kilkenny probably have a couple of years of rebuilding, four or five years maybe. I wasn’t going to be around for four or five years. 

“I will be around for four or five years with Ballyhale Shamrocks, because there’s serious talent coming through. And I want to be there for those lads to lead by example, contribute while I’m still playing, and while I’m able to play as well, and pass on what I’ve learned to those young lads coming through.”

TJ Reid celebrates Ballyhale Shamrocks' latest county title. Ken Sutton Ken Sutton

Reid described his retirement as three days of mourning followed by a celebration of all he’s achieved in a career that ends as all-time championship top scorer.

“It was very hard. Twenty years is a long time representing one jersey, a jersey I took great pride in. It was hard, but the future is bright.

“Once four o’clock came (and his retirement statement was released), after five minutes, I was at peace. The world knew the story, and I was happy with it.

“It’s very much saying goodbye to what I loved, so it is hard, but at the end of the day, there’s tougher things in life.

“I’m very much smiling into this week. Instead of having regrets – I should have done more, I should have done this, I should have done that, I should have trained harder – none of those things have come into my mind over the last 20 years, because you won’t find a better player to sacrifice his life for something than I’ve done.”

TJ Reid surrounded by Wexford defenders. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

As evidence, Reid took pride in being man-marked in every game until his inter-county retirement. 

“I was looking at other younger players and they’re getting five or six yards of freedom. I was saying to myself, Jesus, why can’t you go mark those lads and give me a bit of space? 

“I knew every game I went out, I was still man-marked at 38, teams and defenders are still worried about TJ Reid at 38 years of age, so I knew that my influence was always there. 

“That’s something I have to mellow a bit and let go. I can let go of hurling, but in terms of being competitive, challenging opponents, and thinking I’m better than everyone else, that’s something I have to mellow a bit.”