Tipperary’s Paul Curran retires from inter-county hurling

Tipperary hurling veteran Paul Curran has announced his inter-county retirement.

33-year-old Curran, who picked up an All-Ireland medal in 2010, was left out of the Tipperary squad for this year’s championship by manager Eamon O’Shea earlier this week, effectively bringing an end to his 14-year county career.

Curran made his senior debut in 2001 against Cork in the National League before going on to enjoy a successful career in the blue and gold.

Curran is a two-time National Hurling League medallist and he also won four Munster senior championships, including as captain of the 2012 winning team.

Tipperary boss O’Shea paid tribute to Curran on his retirement, he said: “ Paul has been a leader and inspiration for a generation of Tipperary hurlers and his contribution to Tipperary hurling has been immense.

“Many great players have retired from the game in recent years, but he is amongst the very best in terms of his own personal achievements and his contribution to various Tipperary successes. More importantly, he has been the driving force for excellence and improved performance within the Tipperary squad.

“He is a man of ambition, resilience and integrity who has been a major force for good within the Tipperary squad for a long time. When he came into training last night to tell the players about his decision to retire it was an emotional time for all of us. His parting words to the squad were as inspirational as his many deeds on the pitch over the past 15 years.

I have no doubt that Paul will make many more contributions off the pitch to Tipperary hurling in the coming years.”