FREE-SCORING Tipperary forward Séamus Callanan has called time on a 16-year inter-county career.
The Drom & Inch clubman, who turns 35 next week, won three All-Ireland titles with Tipp - 2010, 2016 and 2019 as captain - as well as a National League crown in 2008. Callanan was also named Hurler of the Year in 2019 when Liam Sheedy returned to lead the Premier to the Liam MacCarthy Cup once more.
He landed four Allstar awards, with his final appearance for Tipp coming in the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Galway. Callanan was replaced at half-time against the Tribesmen, a week on from scoring his 40th Championship goal against Offaly.
Unfortunately injuries curtailed the latter part of Callanan’s county career, with a hand injury ruling him out Tipp's 2022 Munster Championship campaign, when they lost all four matches.
“I am very grateful to have had such an enjoyable career with so many great memories," he said in a statement on the Tipperary GAA website.
"The highlight of my playing career was undoubtedly captaining Tipperary to All-Ireland success in 2019. Coming back to Tipperary and Drom and Inch with the Liam McCarthy Cup is something I will treasure forever. I will always be very grateful to Liam Sheedy for entrusting me with the role of captain.
“I wish to thank all the Tipperary players I had the pleasure of calling my team-mates since 2008. I have made lifelong friends and feel honoured to have taken to the pitch with some of the greatest hurlers who ever wore the Tipperary jersey. I am also grateful to all the managers and backroom teams who gave me so much support and guidance through the years.
“I have been fortunate to meet many great people during my time hurling with Tipperary and through the GAA, but Eamon O'Shea was special amongst them all.
“As a mentor and friend, his guidance had a significant impact on my career, and I want to thank him most sincerely."
Current Tipp boss Liam Cahill thanked Callanan for his “outstanding commitment”, saying: "I have been privileged to have known and managed Séamus if only for a short period of time.
"Séamus leaves us with countless memorable moments and a legacy that will inspire future generations of young hurlers not just in Tipperary but across Ireland, he owes nothing to Tipperary and I wish him the very best in to the future."
