Gaelic Games

Aidan Harte calls time on Galway intercounty career after 13 years

Versatile 2017 All-Ireland winner also won three league titles during his career

Aidan Harte lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup after Galway’s win over Waterford at Croke park in September 2017. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Seán Moran's face
Seán Moran
Fri Dec 3 2021 - 19:52

Another of Galway's All-Ireland hurling winning team of 2017 has retired. Aidan Harte, who is 33, announced on Friday that he was drawing his 13-year career to a close. Having started as a forward, he won a national league in 2010, beating Cork in the final.

He later switched to defence, mostly half back, with great effect but never lost the attacking instinct, striking a great goal late on in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final win over Tipperary.

He was an All-Ireland minor in 2005, an under-21 two years later before making his senior debut in 2008 and being part of Micheál Donoghue’s side that in 2017 bridged a 29-year gap to the county’s previous Liam MacCarthy success.

He also won two further leagues, in 2017 and the one shared with Kilkenny earlier this year as well as Leinster titles in 2012, 2017 and 2018.

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“It has been an honour and privilege to represent Galway at senior level for 13 seasons,” he said in a statement on social media. “This is something I never took for granted. Unfortunately it has also taken a toll on the body and therefore the time has come for me to turn the page

“I would sincerely like to thank in particular my family Josie, Karen and Aileen, girlfriend Camilla, close friends, coaches, team-mates, medical and backroom staff for all their support. I would also like to acknowledge the huge role my club Gort has played in my development as a hurler and a person.

“Being in a position to share the field with and against some of the greatest players to ever play the game along with getting the chance to showcase our sport worldwide has provided me with memories I will forever cherish and making many great friends during those times,” he added.

“With the ongoing time and commitment involved in intercounty I cannot thank the GPA enough. They provided me with numerous opportunities off the field in order to progress my career which has been aided considerably by my past and present employers through their understanding and cohesion in certain situations.

“The Galway supporters have always been phenomenal, making huge sacrifices to support us on our journey.”

Aidan HarteLiam MaccarthyMicheal Donoghue