HENRY SHEFFLIN SAYS he is delighted just to be involved after claiming his 10th All-Ireland SHC winner’s medal today.
The Kilkenny icon was in joyous mood after coming on as a substitute in the 2 – 17 to 2- 14 final replay win over Tipperary at Croke Park, a match Shefflin called a “rollercoaster.”
“It is [sweet] to be honest,” Shefflin told RTE Sport, “earlier in the year you’d be talking about winning 10 All-Irelands. But to me, once the year got going – it was a very hard-fought All-Ireland and it was just about winning this All-Ireland. Whatever happens after is going to be an extra bonus after it.
“We’re absolutely thrilled and we’re absolutely delighted to come out the right side of a great game.”
Shefflin admitted that watching from the stands had its difficulties, but joked that it was even tougher being out on the field.
“I’m just absolutely delighted to be involved at this stage of my career. To be still involved in games like this, to be part of it – whether it’s sitting up there in the dug out or out on the field.
“When you have two teams like Tipperary and Kilkenny playing hurling like that over the last two days, it’s absolutely a joy to be involved in that kind of situation.”
The Ballyhale man was speaking mere minutes after the final whistle. So although many believe that will be the final whistle of his illustrious inter-county career, Shefflin attempted to simply laugh off the suggestion that he may be back to chase an 11th medal in 2015.
“I don’t know about that to be honest. But I really am going to enjoy this. It’s a brilliant victory so I’m looking forward to the celebrations out there.”
