The Ardmore clubman appeared for the Déise at full-back or in the half-back line, and also captained them to the Waterford Crystal Cup crown two years ago.

Commenting on his decision to retire, he told the Irish Examiner: "I just feel I have enough done at this stage. I'm involved for 12 years and feel that that's probably enough."

Prendergast, whose 32-year-old brother Declan remains part of the Waterford attack, made his senior bow for the county side against Laois back in 2000.

His Championship debut came three years later and his final SHC appearance was against Kilkenny in last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat at Croke Park.

Prendergast played for Waterford in this year's Allianz League, lining out against Cork and Kilkenny, and is keen to play on with his club side Ardmore.

"I plan on playing on for the club for a few years yet. Playing inter-county hurling means that you have to put a lot of things on hold, including your club a lot of the time," he added.

"I’m looking forward to pitching in for training with the lads again. Hopefully we can win something in the county."

Asked about his career highlights, Prendergast admitted: "I suppose in a dozen years you have ups and downs, but those (the Munster Championship successes) were great days for all of us as players and obviously for the supporters, who followed us loyally through all the years.

"The one disappointment would be that we never won the big one, the All-Ireland. The lads still have a chance, though, they have a good team and a mix of young lads and experienced players. Hopefully they’ll manage it, even though it’ll be very tough."