Niall Moran says he couldn't carry on playing inter-county hurling because the demands on his time had become too great.

The 30-year-old Ahane clubman, who brought the curtain down on his decade-long Limerick senior hurling career on Saturday, tells the Irish Examiner: "Playing inter-county is becoming less and less an option for people who are working or are married.

"Look at the number of lads from the All-Ireland champions this year, Clare and Dublin, who have gone back into full-time education. It's become far too demanding. Everything has to revolve around it. You're looking now at full-time training."

Moran insists it was a decision he didn't take lightly.

"To be honest, I shed a tear when I finally made the decision. I loved it, every minute of it, and I'd like to thank all those with whom I played over the years, all those who helped me in whatever capacity. Ever since I was four or five that was all I wanted to do, play with Limerick. My godfather was Mick Hickey, full back on the All-Ireland teams of the '30s, and every Christmas present from him was a jersey or a hurley.

"Every time I went to do a job on the family farm the hurley came with me. I've been going to Limerick training since 1994, followed the lads (his older brothers James and Ollie) when they played with Limerick." Tweet

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