Former Offaly All-Ireland finalist Brendan Murphy has decided to call time on his inter-county career.

The Ballyskanagh man was the lone survivor from the Offaly side which played in the All-Ireland senior hurling championship final in 2000.

"I've given the matter a lot of thought over the last few months, but I've finally decided that the time has come for me to finish with Offaly," said Murphy.

"I've informed (Offaly manager) Ollie Baker of my decision and he fully understands my reason for taking it. I'd love to go back with Offaly, but the demands of the modern game are increasing all the time for inter-county hurlers."

Murphy, who turns 32 in two weeks' time, represented Offaly at senior level for the 13 years and has decided to hang up his boots with the Faithful County in order to focus on other commitments.

"I had a long, but not as successful as I would like, innings with Offaly and I got great enjoyment and satisfaction out of it. As well, I made many great friends down through the years," he said.

"But your priorities change when you get to my age. I'll now be able to focus more on my family - with my wife Claire and our young son Charlie - and on my job (as a doctor), and I'm really looking forward to that." Tweet

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