Niall Gilligan announced his retirement from hurling after Sixmilebridge's season came to a disappointing end yesterday.

The 43-year-old called time on his glittering career following the 'Bridge's 0-12 to 1-21 Munster club SHC quarter-final loss at home to Ballygunner. An All-Ireland winner with Clare in 1997, the veteran forward didn't see action, but came off the bench in last month's county final victory over Cratloe to claim his seventh Canon Hamilton Cup medal.

"It's the end of an era for 'Bridge hurling," Gilligan's manager Tim Crowe lamented in the Irish Examiner.

"I presume he'll get involved in coaching and administration down the line. We in the 'Bridge and Clare realise he is an outstanding servant, to play 25 years of club senior championship is outstanding in this modern era with the pressures that are on people."

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