Galway's Damien Hayes is the latest high-profile hurler to announce his inter-county retirement.

The Portumna forward holds the record of 52 championship appearances for Galway as well as a record 25 championship goals for the county. However, his only appearance for the Tribesmen last year came as a late replacement in the All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tipperary at Semple Stadium.

Hayes, who turns 33 next month and enjoyed a 14-year senior career, played in Galway's All-Ireland final losses to Cork and Kilkenny in 2005 and 2012 respectively, while he was an unused sub in the 2001 All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary. A powerful and direct hurler, he won All Star awards in 2005, 2010 and 2012, a Leinster SHC medal in 2012 and a pair of Allianz League medals. He is also the holder of four All-Ireland club medals.

"I've loved my time with Galway and don't regret a single minute of it" he said in a statement issued through the GPA. 

"Yes, not winning an All-Ireland was unfortunate.  But I see that as a disappointment, not the end of the world.

"I'm extremely proud to have won a Leinster and two National League medals, I made great friends in the Galway dressing-room and I will always back the current players to win that first All-Ireland since 1988."

Hayes will continue hurling with Portumna.

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