After seven All-Ireland titles, 11 Leinster championships, five Allianz Hurling League medals and four All-Stars, Richie Hogan called time on his inter-county career with Kilkenny last summer.
A vital part of a hugely successful side under Brian Cody, injuries eventually caught up with the former Kilkenny forward, who admitted it was the right time to call it a day.
The 2014 player of the year said if he had decided to leave when he was 32 he would be missing it more, but has accepted the time is right.
Speaking at the launch of the Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Championship, Hogan said he wouldn't have what it takes for inter-county hurling.
"I had a couple of years where I was doing absolutely everything I could to play. I ran out of juice a couple of years ago, but still tried to get as much as I possibly could out of it.
“I'd love to be playing, but when I think about playing, I'm actually looking back, I'm not looking at what is going on now.
“If I had packed it in at 32 when the body was breaking down, I’d have missed it a lot more. For now, I’m fairly content, I couldn’t play inter-county hurling now.
“Even at club level, I train, it is enough for club level. The thoughts of getting to inter-county level, the level these guys are currently at is a million miles from where I am. That is what I look at. We’d all love to be out playing on the pitch.
“I’m mature enough to know what it takes, and I don’t have what it takes, that is for sure.”
Since his retirement, Hogan has been a pundit on GAAGO, and is still playing with his club, Danesfort.
While Hogan says he enjoys his work as a pundit, he is yet to enjoy the game as a fan.
“The only thing that I enjoy much more now is not having to get into the car and travel
Hurling
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Brian Cody