Offaly hurling full-back Kevin Kinahan has announced his retirement from the inter-county scene. The Seir Kieran clubman was one of the great full-backs of the past decade, winning two All-Ireland medals and three All-Star awards during what was a golden era for Offaly hurling. Although just 30, Kinahan believes he has become "too old" for the demands of the modern game. "I'm getting too old," he said. "Hurling is a young man's game. It is gone very fast. I'd find it hard to face back into hard training during November in the rain and frost. That's rough and my heart wasn't really in it for the past few years when we met Kilkenny. "I will miss it. I'll miss the craic and meeting up with the other lads. But I've played for Offaly for 11 years now and there comes a time when you have to say no. It's hard to stay playing at the top level. "I've had my good and bad years. 1994 and '98 will always remain special, but it hasn't been easy to get over the disappointment of '95 (Offaly lost the All-Ireland final to Clare that year)." A player who preferred to avoid the media spotlight, Kinahan is to continue playing with his beloved Seir Kieran. "As long as I'm able and as long I have my health, I will continue to soldier on with the club," he revealed. Kinahan's collection of medals makes for impressive reading. He is the holder of two All-Ireland medals (1994 and '98), two Leinster SHC medals (1994 and '95), two Leinster U21 medals (1991 and '92) and three Offaly SHC medals (1994, '95 and '99). He was an All-Star recipient in 1994, '95 and '99. Kinahan's departure from the inter-county game is another huge blow to new Offaly manager Fr Tom Fogarty. Over the past 10 months, Offaly have lost Joe Dooley, Michael Duignan and Johnny Pilkington to retirement, although Fogarty hasn't given hope of persuading the latter to make a return. Tweet

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