’My decision’ – TJ Reid opens up on Kilkenny departure
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TJ Reid has announced his inter-county retirement from Kilkenny hurling after almost 20 years, citing a desire to focus on the Shamrocks and spend more time with his family.
The curtain came down on a decorated Kilkenny hurling career on Friday, as Shamrocks Ballyhale stalwart TJ Reid announced his inter-county retirement.
The news marks somewhat the end of an era, as Reid’s departure, alongside goalkeeper Eoin Murphy’s last month, means just one representative from the All-Ireland winning class of 2015 remains.
Making his debut in 2007, Reid collected seven All-Irelands, 14 Leinster Championships, five National Leagues and seven All-Stars over a decorated two decades in the black and amber.
The announcement was met with much sadness and nostalgia by the Kilkenny hurling public, and just as the county begins to digest the 38-year-old’s revelation, the now ‘former’ Kilkenny forward sat down with Kilkenny People Sport in his second home of UPMC Nowlan Park.
“I have no regrets. I didn't leave through injuries. I left on my own terms,” Reid revealed.
“I was ready for it. When you're just touching 39, after 20 years in the jersey, you're ready for it.
“I'm very much steeped in Kilkenny. It was a privilege to represent the jersey for 20 years. Did I know when I started in 2007 that I'd be here 20 seasons later? I didn't. But I felt it was my duty every year to be ready for Kilkenny,” he commented.
"A few days before I announced it on Friday, the subconscious mind was kicking in, and sleep wasn't great. I have to say, since Friday, I've slept with a smile on my face.”
Despite suggesting he may be available for the forthcoming inter-county season, the Ballyhale man was unequivocal that the decision was his.
"There's never a right or wrong time to do it. It's a reflection on where I am and where the new group of Kilkenny players are going,” Reid remarked.
"For me, it (the decision came) was after winning the county title. I shared a moment in Andy’s (pub) in Ballyhale and I said, after winning the last two county finals in a row, ‘this is a great place to be.’
"We haven't won in Kilkenny since 2015. We won Leinster, but when you're in the Kilkenny jersey, you want to earn medals. I looked at the next four or five years and thought about what dressing room I'd like to spend my time in.
"That Ballyhale Shamrocks dressing room was the dressing room I wanted to focus my attention on. That was my decision, really. Henry (Shefflin) and the management team probably have a new four or five years of rebuilding ahead of them. I wasn't going to be there for four or five years,” the 2015 Hurler of the Year explained.
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"But for Ballyhale Shamrocks, I'd be committing to them for as long as I can, until the day I can't go any longer. That's the dressing room I'm very much looking forward to walking back into on Sunday morning, as we prepare for a Leinster title. That's where I want to focus my attention now.”
Despite winning a combined 21 Leinster and All-Ireland titles, the feeling of home comforts outweighed that of inter-county success.
"Niamh (wife) is very supportive. There was never a moment of guilt built into it, so that wasn't the issue,” he continued.
“Niamh told me to go for as long as I could because she knew my responsibility was wearing the Kilkenny jersey and how much it meant to my family at home.
“But it was also looking at my own family. Harper is turning five next year, and she'll be going to games, soccer games, hurling games, football games and gymnastics. I want to be there for that, and I can't be hurling.
“How I got to where I was was by being selfish,” the 38-year-old admitted.
"I had my time. It'd be different if I had only three or four years played, but I had 20 years of greatness behind me. I'm walking away with milestones and memories to last a lifetime.”
Asked if the county’s 11-year All-Ireland barren spell weighed heavily, Reid stressed he had no regrets returning season after season.
“I wouldn't say it was difficult. It's an honour to wear the Kilkenny jersey. It's an honour to be here in UPMC Nowlan Park. It's an honour to be down in that dressing room. It's an honour to be in that gym down there. What we do is a privilege,” he pledged.
“Your goal at the start of the year is to win the All-Ireland. But alongside those goals, you have a process and a journey to enjoy and love. Yes, we haven't won an All-Ireland, but I still wouldn't regret anything,” he added.
So, what next for TJ? Well, the answer is simple. The Harps of Durrow.