Of all the retirements to hit the Kilkenny Hurling Squad since last year’s All-Ireland (Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity were the others), JJ Delaney’s was probably the biggest surprise – and will be the most difficult for Brian Cody to cope with.
Delaney, 32, won nine All-Ireland senior hurling medals and seven All Stars in an outstanding career that began back in 2001, the year he made his championship debut. He also won 10 Leinster SHC medals and 8 National Hurling League medals. He will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders of all time. In 2009, he was named on the Leinster Hurling Team of the Last 25 Years at left-half-back, and having added three more All Stars to his overall tally since then, in 2010, 2012, 2014, he now commands an even greater legacy in hurling history.
Never was that more clearly illustrated than in the All-Ireland final replay against Tipperary last September when he delivered a superb performance.
Delaney talks to Matt about his decision to retire and his incredible hurling career.
