Injury forces Limerick hurling star Shane Dowling into early retirement

LIMERICK hurling hero Shane Dowling has confirmed his inter-county retirement.

Persistent injury has forced the 27 year old Na Piarsaigh man to make his decision.

The 2018 All Ireland SHC winner released a statement this Thursday morning.

"It is with deep regret and heartbreak that I have to announce my retirement from inter-county hurling today. This is a decision that I have struggled to accept, and may still struggle to accept over the coming years, given its premature nature. To be speaking about retirement from the game I adore, at the age of 27, is not what I ever intended or imagined, and I still hardly believe this is happening, but unfortunately I have been left with no other option," outlined Dowling, who won an All-Star in 2014.

"After three surgeries on my knee in as many years, and with the possibility of another, my knee can no longer support the
demands of inter-county hurling," he added.

"As I close this chapter of my life, which is heart-breaking for me, I am going to try and look at the positives, and fortunately for me, there are a lot of them. I have fulfilled my dreams, which was above and beyond what I ever thought was possible. I have no doubt that my obsession with the game of hurling will continue in different capacities in the months and years to come. If someone told me that July of 2019 would be the last time I would wear the green and white of Limerick, I would have said they were mad. But there you go, that’s life, that’s sport, so nail it, every chance you get."

Dowling made his Limerick senior hurling debut in 2012 and went on to play 32 times in the championship. He departs as Limerick's leading championship scorer with 13-185.

"To all my teammates over the years, I can’t thank you enough for the pleasure of playing with you and the bonds that we have created. While it goes without saying that I will hugely miss hurling with you, I will equally miss the craic that we had off the pitch. Please don’t ever take for granted each day that you have an opportunity to tie the laces on your boots, because God knows when it could be your last time."

In his statement, Dowling has a special word for the Limerick GAA supporters.

"To the Limerick supporters, you are just one of a kind. You represent everything that epitomises Limerick hurling- honest, driven, passionate and hungry for success. Your value to Limerick hurling can never be under-estimated. Supporters have been very good to me throughout my hurling career, and I will never ever forget that," he said.

"There are a number of people in my life that I owe serious gratitude to, and I would like to take this opportunity now to acknowledge them. To my parents, Paddy and Joan, my sister Fiona and to my girlfriend Paula, I would like to
sincerely thank you for putting up with everything over the years, and for always being there by my side through the ups and the downs."

He outlined: "To the three managers who afforded me the opportunity to play senior hurling for Limerick, and allow me achieve my childhood dream, I will be forever indebted to you. I will never forget the day John Allen made those dreams come true, when he rang me in October of 2012, and gave me the news that I always wanted to hear. Following on from that, TJ Ryan gave his heart to the job as manager, as he did previously a player, before John Kiely was the man who led us to the holy grail on that famous day of August 19, 2018. To those three inspirational men, thank you very much".

"To all County Board officials, past and present, current chairman John Cregan, and in particular to long serving secretary, Mike O’Riordan, who has been extremely good to me down through the years, thank you all so much for your help and guidance. To JP, Noreen and all the McManus family, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks for all your continued support over the years. For me, someone’s character is shown when they stick with you through the bad times, as well as the good, and down through the years, the McManus family never gave up on Limerick hurling, and have always gone above and beyond for us. To all coaches, selectors, medics, and all other various members of backroom teams over the years, of which there are too many to name check individually, I wish to thank you all so much for everything you have given to Limerick hurling, and I know you will continue to do so for many years to come."

"The success and guidance I experienced from a young age with my primary school Scoil Chríost Rí Caherdavin, and later in my secondary school Ardscoil Rís, was, no doubt, instrumental to the successes in my career. To all the teachers who helped along the way, again, I will be forever grateful."

Dowling is among a special group to hold inter-county and club All-Ireland medals.

"The opportunity to represent Limerick would never have been possible without my club Na Piarsaigh. Once again, there are too many people to individually mention, but the countless hours of time, commitment and, most importantly, care you give to all players and members is inspirational. Please keep this to the forefront of everything you do, because I will never forget
what you did for me as a child growing up."

He concluded his statement with "Cuimhnigh ar Luimneach, agus Luimneach Abú".