‘Always proud' – TJ Reid's wife shares heartbreaking photo of him cradling daughter after painful loss
Kilkenny came up just short of making the All-Ireland final in
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Niamh captioned this snap 'Always a proud day for us seeing you play'
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A happier moment for all three after the Leinster final victory over Galway
Credit: @niamhdebrun
Despite turning 37 in November, Reid still remains a force to be reckoned with as evidenced by his haul of 0-11 yesterday.
While eight of those points did come frees he still demonstrated an ability to win ball out in front of his marker whenever he was supplied with decent passes to work with.
The Ballyhale Shamrocks icon did look particularly devastated at
However,
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Derek Lyng's oldest Cat joined the senior panel in 2007 when he was only 19, and is one of the all-time greats.
Plenty of global sporting icons have continued to perform no matter how old they are.
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Italian AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini played until he was 41, and the NBA's all-time scorer Lebron James is still lighting it up for the LA Lakers at 40.
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Dublin stopper Stephen Cluxton is 43, and Cork great Christy Ring hurled for his beloved Cloyne Glen Rovers club until he was 46.
Speculation over
RTE pundits weigh in on scoreboard controversy that marred Tipperary's dramatic win over Kilkenny
He said in April: 'It's mind over matter. If you allow age to dictate your life, you're on a losing battlefield straight away.
'I never think of my age, I always think of how am I performing, how am I moving, how am I feeling, what's my mindset like, do I want this anymore?
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'Do I want to be going training three or four nights a week? That's the big thing. If that want isn't there, that willingness isn't there, then that's the time to go.
'Most of those guys who are over 35, prolonging their career, they still have that willingness to give it everything. That's the big thing. You look at the likes of Maldini from AC Milan, Lebron, Ronaldo, Messi.
"I look at all those top, top class players, they're still dedicating their life to it, and you have to. If you want to reach those barriers, you have to be willing to put in the effort.
'Most people think that psychologically you have to get older to reduce things, but you don't. The time you do reduce it, that's when you get left behind.'
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GYM LIFE
A lot has changed for inter-county hurlers since Reid joined Brian Cody's squad 18 years ago.
Recovery and nutrition are huge, science around athletic performance has developed hugely and gyms have replaced the pub.
Reid runs his own fitness centre on the outskirts of Kilkenny city and admits owning business in the sector has been a massive help.
He said: 'I'm whatever age I am, I'm still doing as much as I was 10 years ago, or even more. Obviously, my job is to inspire people to be fitter and healthier. So look, that's a given for myself.
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'And look, it is easier when you know the industry and you're a professional in that regard. So look, you're tipping away yourself anyway.
"And the way modern hurling is, the majority of people have access to gyms now. I know years ago, going back, we used to come back and we used to be two or three stone overweight back in January.
'Now lads are coming back in better shape than they were when they were hurling, because just in modern life, the gym is more of a social thing now, which is great.
'That's where they go and meet instead of going drinking, they go into the gym together. The modern day GAA players, they're looking after themselves way better than they were.'
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Extra.ie
38 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Taoiseach: My flight was NOT switched for the Cork match
The Government has insisted that conflict in the Middle East – and not the All-Ireland hurling semi-final – resulted in the Taoiseach changing his flight from Japan at a week's notice. Micheál Martin and members of his team were meant to fly home from Osaka last Friday via Dubai and were scheduled to land just after midday on Saturday. But has learned the flights were changed days before the trip, with Mr Martin instead flying home via Toronto. He landed at 8.15 am and later travelled to Croke Park for the Cork v Dublin game. Last night, there were calls for the Taoiseach to publish the security advice he received and publish the cost of the changes immediately. Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Mr Martin, an avid supporter of Cork GAA, watched his county beat Dublin 7-26 to 2-21. By 7 pm, he had posted an image of himself at the match with the caption: 'Magnificent win for Cork in a contest full of attacking intent and spectacular skill. Hurling of the highest level to secure an All-Ireland final ahead of a valiant Dublin side.' Sources close to Mr Martin insisted that being on time for the match did not play a role in the change to his travel plans. A spokesman in the Department of the Taoiseach said it was to 'mitigate against any risk of flight cancellations given the security situation' in the Middle East, with airstrikes launched on Qatar a week before his trip to Japan. The spokesman said the final costs of the flights are still being calibrated, with Opposition TDs calling on the Taoiseach to publish the figures and any advice leading to his flight change. Labour's Ged Nash said: 'The Office of the Taoiseach would be well advised to clear this up without delay. Nobody should have any difficulty with our head of Government and ministers travelling to represent our country. Labour TD Ged Nash. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 'That's a given… [but] when there are last-minute changes to schedules, there ought to be a straightforward explanation forthcoming… especially in cases where there may be additional, unexpected expenditure involved.' Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín noted the Middle East has been a risk for 'quite some time' and questioned why the original flights were booked in the first place. He said: 'We have had this before. Politicians have changed flights for their entourage in the past for frivolous reasons. 'If flights are changed for the Taoiseach and his officials for security reasons, that's logical. However, if any decision was influenced by non-security issues, like a GAA match, that's outrageous. We could be talking about tens of thousands of taxpayers' money here. I believe the Taoiseach should publish the security advice he received and publish the cost of the changes immediately.' Peter Burke TD. Pic: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins Photo Agency The Taoiseach began his four-day visit to Japan this day last week, aiming to promote bilateral relationships. He travelled to Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke had visited Japan just a week prior, as the Government eyes new trading partners. It is understood that Mr Martin was accompanied by a team of approximately six delegates, including his chief of staff, Deirdre Gillane, two special advisers, a private secretary, and two guards. The trip, which had been on the horizon for several months, took place from Tuesday, July 1, to Friday, July 4. On June 10, journalists covering the trip were given the Taoiseach's itinerary. The note stated that Mr Martin would fly home from Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka via Dubai, with his first flight scheduled to depart at 11:45 p.m. Toronto Pearson Airport. Pic: Getty Images The press were sent a list of bullet trains to book for travel through Japan, including the train to take them to the Osaka airport in time for Mr Martin's flight home. However, while in Japan, they learned Mr Martin's travel arrangements had changed, meaning he would be arriving in Ireland earlier than planned, with no explanation given at the time. One source on the trip noted that flying from Osaka to Toronto and on to Dublin takes longer in terms of travel time. Passengers cross the international date line while over the Atlantic, which meant the Taoiseach left Osaka at 6.37 pm Japanese time on July 4 and arrived at 5.42 pm on the same date in Canada. The delegation departed for Dublin at 10.21 pm. 'The original booking [via Dubai] was scheduled to land at 12.15 pm on Saturday [July 5]. The revised booking [via Toronto] was scheduled to land at 8.15 am,' a Government spokesman said. A spokesman in the Department of the Taoiseach confirmed to the Mail that Mr Martin's return flights, and those of his delegation, were changed a week before he travelled to Japan. Asked if ensuring the Taoiseach would be back in Dublin in time for the match played any role in the changing of the flights, the spokesman said the change was 'to mitigate against any risk of flight cancellations given the security situation, which had resulted in extensive Middle East airspace being closed in the days prior'. Numerous countries closed their airspaces after Iran launched an airstrike on a US naval base in Qatar on June 23 – a week before the Taoiseach visited Japan. Airports Dubai, which is almost 700km from Qatar, briefly suspended flights in the 24 hours after the attack. According to a Government spokesman, the cost of changing flights for Mr Martin and his staff 'has not yet been reconciled'. Flights from Osaka to Toronto Pearson this coming Friday, July 11, begin at €1,047 for an economy seat and extend to €4,974 for business class. To fly from Toronto Pearson to Dublin on the same night would cost €271 in economy and €3,800 in business class. This means that booking new flights for the Taoiseach and his staff could cost anywhere between €9,226, if the entire team flew economy, and €61,418 if everyone flew business class. Sources pointed out that while it is common for Government leaders to fly business class on official trips, many delegates going with them will travel in economy.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Jack O'Connor claims Kerry's gruelling club calendar is taking a toll on his injury-hit squad
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
East Kerry appoint Adrian Sheehan to manager their senior football team
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