Shanahan calls time on Deise career
Waterford hurler Dan Shanahan has gone public on his decision to retire from senior inter-county hurling, just days after the Deise's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary.
In an interview on Newstalk's 'Off The Ball' show, Shanahan confirmed that he is finished with top level hurling, ending a career that has seen him win four Munster SHC medals, a National Hurling League title and three All-Star awards, as well as a famous hat-trick of national Hurler of the Year awards in 2007.
"My time is up. It's been a roller coaster, to be honest with you," he admitted.
"It has been good and bad but I have made some friends out of it and I have kept some friends. I have won a lot, obviously not the big one (the All-Ireland), but I can hold my head up high."
The 33-year-old forward has struggled for game-time under current Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald. He started this summer's Munster semi-final win over Clare, but that proved to be his only Championship start under Fitzgerald in the last two seasons.
Shanahan was introduced as a second half substitute against Tipperary last Sunday, but could not prevent Waterford from bowing out of the All-Ireland Championship at the penultimate stage.
Asked about being out of the team, he said: "I thought I would get a lot more (game-time) but that is not my decision. The lads would back this up.
"When I went back training I had been playing well, but obviously the management didn't think I was, so that is their decision and I will have to stand by that."
Shanahan, who made his Senior Championship bow against Kerry in May 1998, came to national prominence in 2004 when he scored three goals against Clare in a Munster Championship tie.
His goal-scoring ability came to the fore in 2007 when he struck eight goals in a stunning Championship campaign, including a hat-trick against Limerick in the Munster final.
The high point of his final season saw him find the net in Waterford's Munster final replay win over Cork.
"I suppose, if Tipp don't win the next day they will end up with nothing and we will still be Munster champions, but if Eoin Kelly had taken his free chances I don't think I would have got the chance to get the goal in the Munster final replay.
"To get the goal (against Cork) was outstanding though, absolutely outstanding, and I'll never forget it when it went in and the lads came up to me to celebrate afterwards.
"It was unbelievable, and I thank all the lads I played with over the years."
Shanahan, meanwhile, felt that the Waterford management had played into Tipperary's hands in last weekend's semi-final, insisting that 'Tipp had our tactics off more than anything else.'
And the Lismore clubman refused to offer his support to Fitzgerald in relation to the former goalkeeper remaining in charge of Waterford for 2011.
"That's not my decision. That is a County Board decision. It isn't about me or Davy Fitzgerald. It is about the Waterford players and the Waterford team," he added.
"If he stays on, well and good. If he doesn't, well and good."
