Martin Comerford hangs them up - another blow for KK

orangeman · May 12, 2011, 11:43:55 PM

Another big blow to KK's chances this year.

Kilkenny forward Martin Comerford has revealed his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The 32-year-old won nine Leinster titles and six All-Ireland championships in an illustrious career with the Cats.

The O'Loughlin-Gaels stalwart also claimed a hat-trick of All-Star awards. (2002, 2003 and 2006).

'The time has come for me to go,' he told the Kilkenny People.

'I would like to thank everyone, my colleagues, team management and fans for being so good to me during my days with Kilkenny.

'I will remember them as some of the best days of my life

bottlethrower7 · May 13, 2011, 10:54:44 AM

this isn't really a surprise. People in KK knew several weeks ago that this was coming.

Hes a big loss alright. Bowing out of the game with 6 all-Ireland medals to his name is no mean feat.

AZOffaly · May 13, 2011, 11:13:18 AM

Strange time of the year to do it, but well done to him on a great career. Górta doesn't owe much to Kilkenny.

theskull1 · May 13, 2011, 12:55:51 PM

Quote from: orangeman on May 12, 2011, 11:43:55 PM
Another big blow to KK's chances this year.

Kilkenny forward Martin Comerford has revealed his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The 32-year-old won nine Leinster titles and six All-Ireland championships in an illustrious career with the Cats.

The O'Loughlin-Gaels stalwart also claimed a hat-trick of All-Star awards. (2002, 2003 and 2006).

'The time has come for me to go,' he told the Kilkenny People.

'I would like to thank everyone, my colleagues, team management and fans for being so good to me during my days with Kilkenny.

'I will remember them as some of the best days of my life

Lovely sentiments shown there. The GAA works both ways and it's great to hear top IC men like him speak like that about his years involved with KK.

A hurling great

thejuice · May 13, 2011, 07:28:36 PM

Every Empire must fall, but these lads wont be gone for long. It's not like they are taking up football instead.

Last Man · May 14, 2011, 11:21:13 AM

Anybody I spoke to who knows him always said he is an absolute diamond, sorry to see him go but he's done it all for Kk

imtommygunn · May 14, 2011, 01:26:53 PM

Him and brother Andy both great, and underrated, servant to Kilkenny.

My biggest memory would be his sub appearance against Tipp in 2009 final where his 1-3(I think) in the final ten minutes closed it out.

Two Hands FFS · May 14, 2011, 01:46:59 PM

Quote from: imtommygunn on May 14, 2011, 01:26:53 PM
Him and brother Andy both great, and underrated, servant to Kilkenny.

My biggest memory would be his sub appearance against Tipp in 2009 final where his 1-3(I think) in the final ten minutes closed it out.

He set up Richie Power who got a penalty which Shefflin buried & then scored a goal to pretty much win it..dont think he scored 3 points but definately made a huge impact when he came on

Think he scored maybe 1-4 in an All Ireland final v Cork(2003?) and got Man of the Match

Perhaps not the most stylish but a very effective & important Hurler for KK who had a great career

Milltown Row2 · May 14, 2011, 04:09:43 PM

He was great for his club team this year until the semi against Loughgiel and wasn't great in the final.

Seen him in all his finals for Kilkenny and will go do as one of Kilkenny's great players of this era. As said before I thought his swashbuckling brother Andy was a brilliant player

NAG1 · May 16, 2011, 10:32:36 AM

MR2 think you are slightly off there, he was brutal against LG and hardly touched leather but not to take away from his cracking IC career really classy on his day.

bottlethrower7 · May 16, 2011, 11:38:59 AM

Quote from: Milltown Row2 on May 14, 2011, 04:09:43 PM
He was great for his club team this year until the semi against Loughgiel and wasn't great in the final.

he played the final with a broken hand

Incertus · May 16, 2011, 11:41:39 AM

a legend. hope he makes a u-turn

ExiledGael · May 16, 2011, 12:39:58 PM

Quote from: NAG1 on May 16, 2011, 10:32:36 AM
MR2 think you are slightly off there, he was brutal against LG and hardly touched leather but not to take away from his cracking IC career really classy on his day.

MR2 said he was great until semi-final so think you are both in agreement

Milltown Row2 · May 16, 2011, 10:00:11 PM

Quote from: NAG1 on May 16, 2011, 10:32:36 AM
MR2 think you are slightly off there, he was brutal against LG and hardly touched leather but not to take away from his cracking IC career really classy on his day.

Hmmmmm

read it again

If his hand was broken in the final he maybe should not have played. I'm not for playing players who are injured

bottlethrower7 · May 17, 2011, 01:31:07 PM

right, he could have waited til the next time OLG get to the final