Kilkenny talisman Henry Shefflin has revealed that he has yet to make a decision on whether he will continue playing inter-county hurling next year.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Shefflin said current focus is on winning the All-Ireland Club Championship with Ballyhale-Shamrocks, who are newly crowned Leinster champions following their 0-21 to 1-14 victory over Kilcormac-Killoughey last Sunday.
He and Ballyhale will go on to compete in the All-Ireland club semi-finals and potentially final in early 2015, and then the 35-year-old, who has ten All-Ireland inter-county titles on his CV, will make a call on his future.
“My focus since Kilkenny won [the 2014 All-Ireland Hurling Championship] was the Club Championship, and I’m very fortunate that there has been a lot of goings-on in the Kilkenny camp while I’ve been continuing with my club.
“My focus has already turned to playing with my club next February, to be fair to them I want to give it 100% before I give thoughts to whether I go or not next year.
“I think I’ll make that decision once my club campaign is over.
“A lot of people say, 'I should go now because it’s a great time to go.'
“A lot of people say, 'Will you stay with some of the other lads gone?'
“The decision will come down to myself based on what way I feel body-wise, mental-wise, and whether I feel it’s the right time to go or not.
“I need to speak to my family at home and to Brian Cody [Kilkenny manager] and between those three parties we’ll sit down and make a decision.
“I have to make a decision that’s right for me and right for Kilkenny.
“Once I make that decision I’ll be very comfortable with whatever decision I make.
“Up until yesterday [7 December] playing on a cold day I’m still enjoying it. That’s what I play sport for. That’s what I’ve done all year and I’m absolutely thrilled with that.”
"The decision will come down to myself based on what way I feel body-wise, mental-wise, and whether I feel it’s the right time to go or not" - Henry Shefflin
In recent weeks five Kilkenny players have hung up their boots, with JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity all calling it a day.
Speculation has been rife that Shefflin will follow suit. However, with manager Cody staying on for another year at the helm, Shefflin may be persuaded to stay on for further tilt at the All-Ireland.
Shefflin is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game, alongside his ten All-Irelands he has won 13 Leinster titles, six National Leagues and six Walsh Cups with Kilkenny. Three Railway Cups with Leinster. As well as two All-Ireland club titles, three Leinster titles and five Kilkenny titles with Ballyhale-Shamrocks.
Individually he has been named All Stars Hurler of the Year three times, GPA Hurler of the Year twice and RTÉ Sports Person of the Year in 2006. His 11 All Stars complete an incredible CV.
