Gaelic Games:Kilkenny's James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling at the age of 26.
The Ballyhale Shamrocks midfielder intends to take a break from the game to travel, and considering he will be absent during the summer, Fitzpatrick has decided to call time on his career in the black and amber.
Fitzpatrick told Brian Cody about his decision after the weekend.
“I haven’t been able to nail down a place on the team for a while,” he said. “As I don’t think I am getting any faster, it is time to go.”
Fitzpatrick has won five senior All-Irelands, one as captain in 2008, three National Leagues and three All Star awards. He was named Young Hurler of the Year in 2006.
He is the fourth Kilkenny hurler to announce his inter-county retirement in the last 12 months, following in the footsteps of former colleagues James Ryall, Derek Lyng and Martin Comerford.