Offaly’s Rigney Calls Time On Hurling Career

Rigney in action against Kilkenny last summer

By Justin Kelly

Offaly stalwart James Rigney has announced his retirement from intercounty hurling this week. The 29-year-old Kinnitty man has said his decision is due to work commitments, commenting on the hectic training schedule that a role in the county fold entails.

Rigney was one of the most valuable cogs in the Offaly wheel over the last eight years, having made his debut for the side in a league tie against Cork in 2007. His first championship appearance came a year later in a Leinster championship game against Dublin.

Rigney was one of the most versatile players in the set-up throughout his 47 appearances for the Faithful. He operated mostly has an all-action, thoroughly committed defender, but he also ventured forward and put in a number of swashbuckling performances in midfield.

He made his final appearance in last year’s hefty defeat at the hands of eventual All-Ireland winners Kilkenny. That game was the first GAA fixture aired on Sky Sports as part of the controversial television rights deal agreed between the GAA and the British broadcaster last year.

Rigney is the third player from last year’s Offaly senior hurling panel to retire, following Rory Hannify and Kevin Rigney down the tunnel for the final time.