Two More Kilkenny Hurlers Announce Their Retirements

GAA retirement season is in full swing and Kilkenny currently lead the way with four.

Last week, Tommy Walsh announced his exit from inter-county hurling as did David Herity earlier this week.

Today, another two All-Ireland winners from this season have called it a day. Brian Hogan and Aidan Fogarty both announced their retirement via statements on the Kilkenny GAA website.

Tipp's John O'Brien has also announced his retirement.

Here's Brian Hogan's statement:

It is with great sadness that I wish to announce my retirement from intercounty hurling.
The past decade in the black and amber jersey, have been some of the greatest times of my life. I
have had the opportunity to play both with, and against, some of the finest players ever to play the
game. I leave with the greatest of memories of the best of friendships.

I feel extremely privileged to have been involved in one of the most successful periods in Kilkenny
hurling; and as I leave, what I’ll take most ? is the memory of the time spent with the lads, who I was
lucky enough to call my teammates and friends.

I’d like to thank my club, O’Loughlin Gaels for their constant support and contribution to my
development as a player. In particular, I’d like to thank them for giving me the honour of captaining
the Kilkenny team in 2011. It was an incredible honour to lead such an amazing group of players, and
I did so as a proud O’Loughlins man. I look forward to returning to St. Johns Park to finish my hurling
career where it all began.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Brian Cody and his management teams, for seeing potential
in me, and for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my childhood dreams and aspirations. In addition,
I’d like to thank the Kilkenny county board, Kilkenny supporters and sponsors Glanbia for all their
support over the years. I’d also like to thank my coaches throughout my school days; in St John’s, St
Kieran’s and finally in UCD, who all contributed to my development as a player.

To my employers Gruenthal Pharma, I’d like to thank them sincerely for their constant support. I’d
also like to thank them for their understanding and flexibility, in facilitating my intercounty
commitments.

Finally, I’d like to say a special word of thanks to my family, who instilled in me, a love for the game
of hurling from an early age, and for their continued support and encouragement. In particular I’d
like to thank my wife Elaine, who has been with me since the beginning of this intercounty journey,
and who has been a constant source of support and advice throughout those years.

I’d like to wish Brian, the management team and the Kilkenny panel the very best luck in the coming
season.

Go raibh maith agaibh,

Brian Hogan

And Aidan Fogarty's:

After eleven years I am withdrawing from the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Panel. I make this decision totally comfortable in the knowledge that now is the right time for me to move on.

Playing hurling for Kilkenny at the highest level has been exciting, enjoyable, rewarding and, at times, challenging. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the people who have supported, encouraged or who have just been there for me during this chapter of my life.

I wish to thank Brian Cody and the various management teams for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a successful panel for so long. The Kilkenny County Board deserve huge credit for how they look after their players.

I am grateful to my club Emeralds and the many coaches who have helped me develop my skills and achieve my potential. My employer, C.B.E. have facilitated me in every way possible.

In a special way I thank my girlfriend, Ailish, my father, my family and mentor for their patience and support. I remember my late uncle, Pa Dillon for his pride and confidence in me.

I wish the Kilkenny team and management every success in the years ahead.

Here's what John O'Brien had to say as he leaves the inter-county scene:

I wish to announce my retirement from the Tipperary Hurling team. It has been an honour to have represented my county at senior level since my debut in 2001. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and made it possible for me to play, most importantly my family and friends, my club Toomevara, the management and backroom teams throughout those years which are too many to mention and also the Tipperary public. I have made many great friends over those years and I would like to wish the current panel and management team the very best of luck.