THERE WAS NO white smoke last night on the future hurling plans of Henry Shefflin but the Kilkenny icon is ‘looking forward to making that decision’ on whether to commit to the cause for the 2015 season.
Shefflin came on as a sub last month to win a record-breaking tenth All-Ireland senior hurling title as Kilkenny edged past Tipperary in a replay.
Last night he was the main guest interviewed as Second Captains Live returned for another season to RTÉ 2 and 35 year-old Shefflin told presenter Eoin McDevitt that he can understand the level of interest in his career plans.
“I’m 35 and I’ve had four serious injuries. People feel like I’ve been around forever. This question has been asked for the last three or four years which I don’t agree with, anyone who hits 30 now, they just think they should retire. But I can totally understand it.
“Where my head is, is that I’m looking forward to making that decision this year. Last year if you asked me this question, I’d have probably given you the same answer that I don’t know. But I knew in my heart that I was definitely going back.
“But this year is obviously a different situation so I look forward to having that decision. I’m back playing with my club and I’m looking forward to that.”
Shefflin also revealed that the injury battles he has overcome during his career have given him huge satisfaction.
“When I look back on my career, for me personally it will be the challenges I faced, the injuries I faced, how you overcome those kind of things will make you as a person, make you as a sports person.
“So that’s what I think I’ll reflect on most. For me to come back from injuries and get over those injuries, that’s what I’ll take most satisfaction out of from my career.
“I’m afraid I’ll miss it so much more than anything else. But I think I’ll walk out that door and that door is finished now, and I’ll absolutely look forward and cherish what’s coming next. I’ve been very lucky and very fortunate.”
