Former Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan has announced his retirement from the inter-county game at the age of 35.
In his departing statement, the seven-time All-Ireland winner reflected on the "amazing" success of his first nine seasons as a county player, though acknowledged that the last few years had been "hugely challenging, mentally and physically."
Having been drafted into the Kilkenny senior panel initially in 2007, Hogan had racked up a remarkable seven All-Ireland titles by 2015.
The second half of his career, during which he often struggled with injury, was a leaner period for both player and team, though there were still flashes of brilliance, most notably with his stunning cameo to turn around the 2020 Leinster final against Galway.
Just when the game looked to be getting away from them, Richie Hogan drags Kilkenny back into with a wonderfully taken goal. Kilkenny 1-15 Galway 0-20. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm on @rte2 #rtegaa #thesundaygame pic.twitter.com/c6yPTyoICx
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) November 14, 2020
He was introduced in the 65th minute of this year's All-Ireland final, with Kilkenny already bound for certain defeat against a rampant Limerick.
"I can honestly say that apart from the obvious exceptions in life, nothing has given me more joy and nothing has caused me more heartache than playing hurling," Hogan said in his statement.
"Winning seven All-Irelands in the first nine years of my senior hurling career was amazing, and I will never forget those times or the incredible teammates that I played alongside.
"The last couple of years have been hugely challenging physically and mentally, but I've developed characteristics during that time that will benefit me for the rest of my life."
During the late 2000s bonanza for Kilkenny hurling, Hogan picked up his first two Celtic Crosses as a squad player, finally breaking onto the starting team for the 2009 All-Ireland decider, where the Cats edged out Tipperary to complete their only four-in-a-row.
Hogan established himself as a regular in the 2010s, though the decade began with disappointment as their five-in-a-row bid was scuppered by a vengeful Tipp.
Kilkenny would return to the win the final installment of the 2009-11 trilogy, Hogan firing home a majestic goal at a crucial period of the second half to give Brian Cody's side breathing space. He finished the 2011 season by picking up the first of his four All-Stars.
Another All-Ireland crown followed by a more circuitous route in 2012, Kilkenny recovering from a shocking Leinster final demolition at the hands of Galway to eventually defeat the westerners after an All-Ireland final replay.
After a fallow year in 2013, Kilkenny returned to win back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015, with Hogan by now arriving at the zenith of his career. Following the retirement of Henry Shefflin, Hogan, along with TJ Reid, had emerged as the leading figures in the Kilkenny attack.
Hogan struck 0-06 in the much celebrated drawn final of 2014, picking up the Man of the Match award, later collecting the Hurler of the Year award, along with another All-Star.
He was again imperious as Kilkenny sauntered to another crown in 2015, possibly their most routine victory of the modern era.
While Hogan would win a third All-Star on the trot in 2016, Kilkenny had been devoured in the second half of the All-Ireland final by familiar nemeses Tipp and they were bound, though it wasn't known at the time, for a protracted period without Liam MacCarthy success.
Hogan was assailed by injury problems and his involvement was increasingly intermittent. His lowest moment on the pitch came when he was shown a straight red card late in the first half of the 2019 All-Ireland final, for an elbow on Cathal Barrett.
Hogan was shocked by the decision - reached by James Owens after a lengthy discussion with his linesmen - insisting afterwards that it was an attempt at a shoulder, with Barrett's sidestep meaning he caught him accidentally with an elbow.
By the 2020s, Limerick's era had dawned and Hogan was in the twilight of his senior career, largely deployed as a sub, though he was still capable of touches of wizardry.
He's now called it a day after 17 seasons, finishing with seven All-Irelands, 11 Leinster titles and four All-Stars.
In his retirement statement, he thanked his family, his teammates, the Kilkenny county board, the GPA, as well as current Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng, who succeeded Brian Cody ahead of Hogan's final year as a player.
"To the people of Kilkenny, thank you for everything," Hogan wrote. "I always think of how lucky I was to be born into a county where my obsession with hurling was equally matched by everyone in our great city. I am incredibly grateful for the support you have given me through both good and challenging times on the pitch.
"My body has tried to call time on my career many times over the past few years but my mind always convinced me that the call to represent you was always greater.
"For now however, don't call me, I’ll call you."
