One of Tipperary's all-time greats has called time on his inter-county career

Conor Sweeney, one of Tipperary’s greatest ever players, has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

Sweeney captained Tipp to their only Munster title since 1935 in 2020 on a hugely emotional weekend that coincided with the centenary of the Bloody Sunday atrocities at Croke Park, slotting 0-7 in their 0-17 to 0-14 victory over Cork. He was critical to their historic success that year, kicking a sensational late equaliser to force extra time in the semi-final against Limerick, which they went on to win by a point.

Sweeney led the team in a wreath-laying ceremony in tribute to Tipperary footballer Mick Hogan, one of those killed on Bloody Sunday, following the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo that year. He was named as an All Star for his displays that season, just the third Tipperary footballer to receive the award after Declan Browne and Michael Quinlivan.

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Sweeney also won a Munster under-21 title in 2010 and was a key player in the senior team’s run to the 2016 All-Ireland semi-final under the late Liam Kearns. He has been hampered by injury at the back end of his career, with a cruciate knee ligament rupture early last year wiping out the 2023 season for him.

“After 15 years playing senior football for Tipperary I feel now is the right time to step away and retire from inter-county football,” Sweeney said in a statement issued by Tipperary GAA. “I feel truly honoured and privileged to have represented my county over the last number of years, and I have genuinely loved every minute of my time in the blue and gold (and green and white).”

Sweeney went on to thank various parties, including his teammates, family, clubs Ballyporeen (football) and Skeheenarinky (hurling), managers and coaches, including the Kearns and Morris Park groundsman Pat O’Callaghan, who passed away recently.

He added: “The journey I have had will be remembered for all the right reasons, we had some great days, but all good things must come to an end. I have been selfish for so long, and now it’s time to focus on other aspects of my life.

“I would like to wish Philly [Ryan] and all the team the very best in the future and I look forward to supporting the team from the stands.”

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