LIMERICK hurler Richie English has called time on his inter-county career after nine years with the senior panel.
A club player with Doon, English made his senior championship debut in a 3-11 to 1-16 Munster Championship semi-final defeat in 2016 after making his league bow that spring.
The corner-back won five All-Ireland titles with the senior hurlers during his career, with his first coming in
The primary school teacher’s retirement comes weeks after he was named in John Kiely’s squad for the upcoming 2025 season.
English captained the Limerick minor side who won the 2013 Munster title, bridging a gap of 29 years for success at that age grade and was named the U21 Player of the Championship two years later.
He also won three National Hurling League titles in 2019, 2020 and 2023 along with two Fitzgibbon Cups with Mary Immaculate College in 2016 and 2017, winning the former as captain.
“After nine years, the time has come for me to leave the Limerick Senior Hurling Panel. It has been an honour to be part of this group and we have made incredible memories,“ said English, in a statement released by Limerick.
“I have been very fortunate to play with an incredible group of players who I have shared some of the best days of my life with and to them, I will be forever grateful.”
The 2018 Allstar was a crucial player for the Treaty County in the beginning of their dominance over the All-Ireland championship, before suffering a cruciate ligament injury in 2020 just before the start of the Covid pandemic, which affected the impact he was able to have on the squad.
He said: “It is not easy to step away from such a wonderful group but unfortunately my body will not let me get to the levels needed for the coming year.”
He would later go on to thank the Limerick medical teams that have helped him through the injuries he suffered, naming Mark Melbourne and Dr James Ryan.
“I would also like to thank the current and former Limerick management teams for giving me the opportunity to wear the green and white of Limerick,” said the defender.
“In particular, I want to thank John and Paul along with their backroom teams for bringing me with them on this incredible journey.”
Limerick GAA Chairman, Seamus Mc Namara, said: “On behalf of [the] Limerick County Board I wish to thank Richie for his enormous contribution to Limerick GAA over the last number of years.
“Richie has had a number of setbacks over the years but has always shown great resolve in getting back to the field where he has excelled.
“He has been a fantastic ambassador for the County and we wish Richie all the best in the future.”
