Carey's Kilkenny future in doubt after league opt out

Gaelic Games NewsThe future playing career of DJ Carey hangs in the balance after his announcement not to participate with Kilkenny in the upcoming National Hurling League. The five-time All-Ireland winner made his decision after a lengthy discussion with manager Brian Cody, having assessed his own situation in the game in terms of fitness, appetite and self-motivation.

While Carey insisted he was merely postponing any final decision to play in this summer's championship, it's clear the 35- year-old is taking a gamble with his chances of ever playing for Kilkenny again.

Now based in Dublin, Carey intends playing on with his club, Young Ireland's of Gowran, come the early rounds of the Kilkenny club championship, which start towards the beginning of May. But speaking to RTÉ yesterday, he admitted his future was a little unclear.

"I don't want to make a final decision at this time of year," he said. "I had a good chat with Brian Cody before Christmas and afterwards it was basically down to myself and I've said that I just don't wish to take any part in the National League.

"I said I would play in the first round of the Kilkenny club championship and take it from there and for Brian to come and have a look at me and see for himself if I had something to offer. If at that stage that I felt I had something to offer we would sit down and have a chat and work things out."

The nine-time All Star winner endured a low-key season in 2005. He made no commitment about his future after Kilkenny's defeat by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final last summer but it now seems Carey is questioning his future role in the team.

"I don't have any real ambitions at the moment to play, like going down to Kilkenny to train with the panel throughout the winter is difficult when I can tip away in the gym up here in Dublin and work out my own fitness training.

"In addition I felt that if I was on a panel right now I might be depriving other guys of a chance which they might deserve which may not be fair either. I don't think that Brian needs to have a look at me at this time of the year and if the legs are able to move like I want them to move in May then we will sit down and talk about it.

"But that decision will be in my own hands and if I'm not good enough I will know myself."

It's not the first time Carey has put his career on hold. Back in 1998 he stunned the hurling world by announcing that he was retiring from the game completely but six weeks later he announced he was returning to the game, which he did with style and class.

Last May he won his fourth league title with Kilkenny when he played at full forward in the win over Clare in the final. But it's now over 16 years since he made his senior county debut back in 1990, and as he turns 36 later in the year, the only role he is likely to play in the future is as an impact substitute as Kilkenny look to upset Cork's quest for a third All-Ireland in succession.

TODAY

O'Byrne Cup SF Shield: Wicklow v UCD, Roundwood, 8.0, G McCormack.

SUNDAY

(All games 2.0 unless stated)

O'Byrne Cup SF semi-finals: Dublin v Meath, Parnell Park, M Monahan (Kildare); Laois v Offaly, Portlaoise, P O'Reilly (extra time if necessary).

Walsh Cup SH: Westmeath v Down, Mullingar, F Smith (Meath).

Kehoe Cup SH: Louth v Athlone IT, Dundalk, D O'Donovan (Dublin); Longford v Roscommon, 1.0, T Carroll (Offaly); Carlow v Carlow IT, D Connolly (Kilkenny).

O'Byrne Cup SF Shield: Longford v DIT, Longford, 2.30, P Daly (Westmeath).

Connacht SF League: Section A: Sligo IT v NUIG, Ballinode, E O'Grady (Leitrim); Roscommon v Mayo, Ballinlough, D Mullaney (Sligo); Section B: Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, P McGovern (Galway); Galway v GMIT, Pearse Stadium, F Kinneen (Galway).

Dr McKenna Cup SF: Section A: Armagh v Cavan, Crossmaglen, C Branagan (Down); UUJ v Fermanagh, Irvinestown, M McErlane (Derry); Section B: Monaghan v Queens Univ, Clontibret, J Cleary (Derry); Derry v Antrim, Maghera, R O'Donnell (Donegal); Section C: Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, B Toland (Derry); St Mary's v Down, Burren, R Doone (Antrim).

McGrath Cup SF semi-finals: Limerick v Cork, Kilmallock, R Hickey (Clare); Kerry v UCC, Killarney, P Russell (Tipperary).

Munster SH Cup: Limerick v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, A Heagney (Clare); Clare v UCC, Clarecastle, J Ryan (Tipperary); Kerry v Waterford IT, Ballyheigue, N Cosgrave (Tipperary); Limerck IT v UL, Claughan, M Wadding (Tipperary).

Munster SH Shield: Waterford v Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), Ballygunner, D Richardson.

GAA Fixtures