TJ Reid says he could play into his 40s for Kilkenny

Michael Bolton

Kilkenny hurler TJ Reid has not ruled out playing into his 40s.

Having made his debut for Kilkenny back in 2007, Reid has won seven All-Ireland titles, with his last coming in 2015.

Over the years, Reid has seen many of his teammates retire who he has won All-Irelands with, such as Henry Shefflin, Richie Hogan, and Walter Walsh.

However, fit and ready to go for the start of the Leinster championship at the age of 37, Reid has not ruled out playing into his 40s.

Showing no signs of slowing down in his 17th season, the Kilkenny man says he is fortunate not to have suffered serious injuries throughout his career,

"I have to ask the wife first, so I do! But, yeah, the human body is a tool that can be used.

"Injury-wise I've been very lucky that I've had a few niggles here and there a few things that put me out for a few weeks or months but nothing long-term.

"There were great soldiers back in the day, like Mick Fennelly and Michael Rice, who just with bad injuries probably had to retire two or three years early. Richie Power was another with his knee. Richie Hogan. Pádraic Maher.

"Unfortunately, injuries can come on, and it does make a decision a little bit easier. But I'm very lucky that I've had no major injuries that put me out. So we'll see how 40 goes.

"The body is good, I look after myself. My industry is health and fitness. My job is to inspire people to be better and to look after themselves with their health, fitness, strength, conditioning and nutrition."

Part of some of the greatest hurling teams the country has ever seen, the idea of Kilkenny going a decade without a Liam McCarthy would have been unthinkable at one stage.

However, since their last win in 2015, the Cats have lost four finals.

For Reid, this drought has not been on his mind or discussed in the team.

"It has been 10 years, it has been a frustrating number of years of what could have been. If you did X, Y or Z differently, where could we be?

"When you win, you need to be the best team on the day. On those occasions, we weren’t the best team on the day. If we got through Clare, what could have happened, nobody knows, God doesn’t even know.

"Our job this year is to be better than last year. If we can be better than last year, who knows where that can take us?"