Tipperary wing-forward Niall O'Meara has announced his decision to retire from inter-county hurling, saying "the time was right."
In a statement released by Tipperary GAA, O'Meara said: "After some thought I've decided the time is right for me to retire from inter county hurling. For as long as I can remember I always wanted to wear the blue and gold jersey and luckily since 2010 playing on the minor hurling and football teams I had the opportunity, something I will always cherish."
The 31-year old O'Meara, from the Kilruane MacDonagh's club, first broke onto the county side in 2014. He won two All-Ireland titles with Tipp, coming on as a sub in the 2016 decider and starting at wing-forward in the 2019 final. In the latter, he scored their opening goal in the 3-25 to 0-20 demolition of Kilkenny.
Niall O'Meara lights up the #AllIrelandHurlingFinal with this goal for Tipperary #KKvTipp
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 18, 2019
Watch #SundayGame highlights from 9:30pm on @RTE2 pic.twitter.com/YH2GV62ImV
Largely due to injury, O'Meara did not feature in the past two championship campaigns, making his most recent appearance off the bench in Tipperary's 2021 All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Waterford.
In his retirement statement, he singled out Eamonn O'Shea for particular thanks for giving him his first county start.
Current manager Liam Cahill commented: "Niall exemplified the spirit of a team player, devoid of ego. He displayed remarkable versatility along with a brilliant attitude and a sharp hurling mind. Unfortunately, injuries over the last number of seasons , denied us the opportunity to witness more of his exceptional talent in the Tipperary colours. I am certain that his outstanding qualities will enable him to make valuable contributions to Tipperary hurling in the future."
Meanwhile, former Wexford football manager Jason Ryan has confirmed to RTÉ that he will be taking on a backroom team role with the Wexford hurlers for the coming season.
Ryan is one of a couple of big additions that Keith Rossiter has made to his management team, bringing ex-Wexford player and Oylegate-Glenbrien coach Des Mythen into the set-up.
Ryan famously guided the Wexford footballers to an All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 2008 and subsequently managed Kildare for two seasons in 2014 and 2015.
