Eoin Larkin has announced his retirement from inter county hurling.
In a statement the multiple All-Ireland winning forward says he's content to walk away now knowing he gave everything he could for himself and the team every time he walked out on the training pitch or pulled on a Kilkenny jersey.
He wrote: "After due consideration I have decided that now is the right time for me to announce my Inter-county retirement. I morning in a statement released by Kilkenny GAA.
"It was always my dream from a young age to play, captain and win an All-Ireland with Kilkenny and I’m proud and happy to say I lived my dream. I am content to walk away now knowing I gave everything I could for myself but also the team every time I walked out on the training pitch or pulled on a Kilkenny jersey and left no stone unturned in the pursuit of perfection, although I never got close. I’ve played with and against some of the best players of all time and had the privilege of working with the best manager of all time for those years.
"Doing what I loved doing for twelve years didn’t seem like a sacrifice but although they never said anything I know for a fact my family sacrificed a massive amount for me to fulfil my dream."
Eoin Larkin has this morning announced his retirement from Inter County Hurling. #GAA pic.twitter.com/71pzVWRjD6
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) December 2, 2016
Larkin won eight All-Ireland titles since joining the Kilkenny senior panel in 2005. He also won six League titles and was an All-Star in 2008 and 2009 and Hurler of the Year in 2008.
Hurling fans have been quick to pay tribute to the 32-year-old.
Eoin Larkin; 12 Seasons, 8 All-Irelands and 1 player of the year and still I don't think he ever got the recognition he deserved
— mo (@jameslahart) December 2, 2016
Eoin Larkin, last man standing from Kilkenny's four in a row team, gone. The most understatedly effective of them all.
— Enda McEvoy (@EndaEndamac95) December 2, 2016
Eoin Larkin retires. What another incredible player calling time on a magnificent career. He was unbelievable anytime I saw him in person.
— Rob Lenehan (@RobLenehan) December 2, 2016