Clare goalkeeper Pa Kelly has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

Kelly was between the posts when Clare last won the All-Ireland senior hurling championship title in 2013. The Inagh-Kilnamona shot stopper will be remembered for saving an Anthony Nash penalty in the drawn game as he charged from his goal to block the Cork goalie’s pile driver, which ultimately led to the rules on penalties being changed.

Having made his inter-county debut in 2008, Kelly made the position his own for a number of years before Clare started rotating their goalkeepers in recent years, with Donal Tuohy claiming the spot in 2018.

The 32-year-old was praised by current joint manager Donal Moloney who stressed to the Clare Champion that the player always gave it his all for his county.

“Patrick had a huge innings. The service he’s given Clare has been phenomenal. He’s one of a handful of All-Ireland winning goalkeepers in our county,” said Moloney.

“We will always remember Patrick for his heroics in Croke Park in 2013 against [Anthony] Nash. Patrick certainly doesn’t owe his county anything in terms of what he has achieved.”

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