Sport

Tipp legend Lar Corbett retires

Tipperary's Lar Corbett has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling <br />Picture by S&eacute;amus Loughran
Tipperary's Lar Corbett has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling
Picture by Séamus Loughran
Tipperary's Lar Corbett has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling
Picture by Séamus Loughran

TIPPERARY legend Lar Corbett has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The 34-year-old Thurles Sarsfield's clubman played for his native county for 15 years and won All-Ireland titles in 2001 and '10, was runner-up on three occasions, while also collecting six Munster titles and Allstars in three consecutive years from 2009 to '11.

Corbett made a clean sweep of the Hurler of the Year titles in 2010 following a man of the match performance in the All-Ireland final, with three goals as Tipperary crushed defending champions Kilkenny 4-17 to 1-18 at Croke Park.

The corner-forward initially announced his retirement from the inter-county game in February 2012, only to reverse his decision three months later.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Corbett said: “Over the past 15 years, I have enjoyed many great times playing senior hurling with Tipperary, but I have decided that now is the time to announce my retirement.

“It was a huge honour for me to play with Tipperary and I have many great memories and friendships from my time on the panel. Our All-Ireland winning years of 2001 and 2010 will always be special highlights, but there were plenty of others as well.

“I want to thank all the players with whom I played, I have huge respect for them all. I want to thank the management and backroom teams, who gave me huge support. I also want to acknowledge Tipperary county board, Tipperary Supporters' Club and my club Thurles Sarsfield's for their support.

“Playing inter-county hurling requires lots of time and commitment and I am particularly grateful to my wife Elaine, my family, my colleagues in our business and my friends for giving me the time, opportunity and support to pursue my sporting ambitions. Finally, I want to wish Tipperary well for the future.”