All-Ireland winning Kilkenny captain Cha Fitzpatrick has retired from intercounty hurling.

The three time All Star, who holds five Celtic Cross medals, did not feature prominently in 2011 and has decided to concentrate on his club Ballyhale as a result.

"2011 was a fantastic year for Kilkenny, but personally I wasn't rewarded for my efforts," explained Fitzpatrick on RTE Radio. "But ultimately Brian Cody made the right decisions as Kilkenny won the All-Ireland.

"The level of commitment needed at intercounty hurling means that you need to be playing to make it worthwhile.

"It's been a wonderful eight years to be involved with Kilkenny hurling and I achieved every hurling goal and more."

"I'll continue to enjoy my club hurling with Ballyhale Shamrocks and I will take this opportunity to achieve new goals that I set out for myself." Tweet

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