LIMERICK dual-player Stephen Lucey has announced his intercounty retirement after 17 years of service.
The Croom clubman was called up to the Shannsiders’ senior hurling panel by Eamon Cregan in 1999 and played in 67 championship matches across both codes.
The 35-year-old defender was also part of Limerick’s back-to-back All-Ireland U21-winning team in 2000 and 2001.
Lucey won a Munster Under-21 Football Championship in 2000, losing out in the All-Ireland final to Tyrone.
He released a statement today confirming his retirement:
“The time has come to call it a day in the Limerick colours. I have represented Limerick since U16 and have been part of Limerick Senior Hurling and Football teams for 17 years, when I was brought onto the Senior Hurling panel by Eamon Cregan in 1999. It was an honour and a privilege to have represented Limerick for so long and I was lucky enough to have played championship 67 times, over 30 times in each code.
“There are a number of people I would like to thank. Firstly I would like to thank all my teammates who I played with along the way. We had our ups and downs, but we have some great memories and have lifelong friendships. As Mickey Ned O'Sullivan said to me recently, 'it is not the destination but the journey that is often more important'.
He finished: “Finally, there is a lot of great work being done in Limerick hurling and football at the moment, with some great players coming through. The future is bright, and I would like to wish all Limerick teams the very best."