Patrick Horgan has admitted that missing out on an All-Ireland medal will remain a "bit of a regret" but feels the experiences he was able to enjoy in the Cork jersey over an 18-year career trumps all that.
The 37-year-old called time on his long inter-county career on Tuesday. The four-time All-Star leaves behind a legacy of being hurling's all-time top scorer in both the championship 32-683 (779) and the league (758).
The Glen Rovers club man's efforts helped to yield four Munster titles and this year's Allianz Hurling League crown collectively. But while he came close to landing All-Ireland glory, the Rebels fell short during his 18-year inter-county span, losing four finals, including this year's decider against Tipperary when Cork had led by six points at half-time.
However, speaking to RTÉ Sport's Marty Morrissey on Wednesday about his decision to step away from the inter-county scene, Horgan said there were other things that were ultimately more important to him than the fact that the Liam MacCarthy Cup had eluded his grasp.
"Obviously, I'd be silly if I didn't say it hurt not winning one, probably especially the last one, being in the position we were in," he said.
"But as a whole - and I said this for a long time - I was nearly hoping we'd win it so I could even double down on this point: It's not everything. We train a lot and we went on the road, playing a lot of games and I enjoyed every bit of it and I wouldn't change any of that for a medal.
"If I didn't enjoy it and won a medal, it wouldn't be for me or whatever. But obviously it's a bit of a regret but it's not everything for me."
'I had it in my mind since the final' - Cork great Patrick Horgan talks to @MartyMOfficial about his decision to retire after a remarkable 18-year inter-county career #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/rJfhAc2j7b
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) September 24, 2025
Horgan said Pat Ryan's departure as Cork manager in the wake of July's final loss, and his own desire to spend more time with family, especially his young son, were all factors that weighed heavily in favour of retiring.
"(It was) very hard obviously after being there so long and being such a big part of my life," he said of calling it a day.
"I had it in my mind, I suppose, since the final and how hard that was to take and all that.
"But it's something I kind of put away for a good few weeks because we were playing championship with the Glen, and after being knocked out last week, I had a bit of time and yeah, there's a few things, and it was obviously hard to see Pat Ryan go as well and the way he went.
"Even my small fella at home, Jack, he's going to be getting bigger and I'd be out of the house an awful lot, five, six days a week and it's not fair on him either and I want to see him."
He added that he did not have a chat with Ryan's successor as manager, former team-mate Ben O'Connor, before announcing his decision but backed the Newtownshandrum man to be up to the challenge of taking the Rebel reins.
"I get on really well with Ben actually and I wish him nothing but the best obviously in the role," said Horgan.
"It's a very hard position he's taken up. But he's taken on an unbelievable bunch of players and they're still a great side, nothing has changed there, and a lot of good friends of mine and I hope to God they can get over the line."
Horgan also emphatically laughed off the rumours that there had been a row in the Cork dressing room at half-time of the All-Ireland final defeat, echoing his former manager Ryan who had branded the stories as "disrespectful" to the players.
"It couldn't have been further from the truth. Anyone that has ever been in a GAA dressing room would know that it's probably nearly impossible that some of the stories could have even happened," Horgan said.
"It's silly stuff but that's what happens when you're playing at the level we're playing and people want to knock you in some form."
