What seems to be a growing trend in county senior hurling teams is continuing as no fewer than five Laois players have retired from the inter-county scene.

Laois join Tipperary and Wexford in having to deal with multiple retirements this year as Joe Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fitzgerald, John A Delaney, Brian Stapleton and James Walsh have all announced that they are hanging up their hurls.

To compound their woes, talented forward Zane Keenan has not committed to the squad for 2016 due to work commitments as have Conor Dunne and Dwayne Peacock.

Long term injuries to Ross King, Tom Delaney and John Purcell leave the squad decimated, but despite the disappointment of losing such experienced and talented hurlers, Laois manager Seamus Plunkett stressed to the Leinster Express that they don't owe hurling in the county anything.

"Those players have given their hearts and souls to Laois hurling throughout their careers, and like Brian Campion and Brian Dunne before them, they were fantastic role models, and I have huge respect for the efforts they have put in," said Plunkett.

"Retirements are only an opportunity for hungry young Laois players to work harder to grab a county jersey."

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