All Star forward informs Declan Ryan in person and team-mates by text of his decision to quit the intercounty game, writes JACKIE CAHILL

TIPPERARY STAR Lar Corbett stunned the hurling world last night by announcing his retirement from the intercounty game. It is understood the 2010 Hurler of the Year informed Premier County manager Declan Ryan of his decision in person.

And sources have indicated Corbett had earlier informed his team-mates of his decision via text message. Corbett, 30, joined the Tipperary senior hurling panel as a 19-year-old under the tenure of Nicky English but has now seemingly called time on a glittering career.

It is believed Corbett explained to his Tipperary colleagues he is unable to give his full commitment to the cause for the coming season. The Thurles Sarsfields clubman, who scored a hat-trick of goals for Tipperary in the 2010 All-Ireland final against Kilkenny, had yet to feature in blue and gold this year.

Now Corbett has confirmed he will not be involved at all in 2012. It is understood Corbett will continue to line out for Thurles Sarsfields.

Since making his championship debut in 2001 against Clare, Corbett has scored an impressive 26-67, and stunned Waterford with a scintillating 4-4 haul in last summer’s Munster SH final.

Corbett’s championship haul in 2011 totalled 7-9 and that was good enough to earn the Thurles-based publican a third All Star award.

But Corbett was left devastated by his All-Ireland final performance last September, when he was held scoreless by Kilkenny’s man-marker Jackie Tyrrell.

The return of the four-time Munster SH medallist, however, was never seen as anything other than a formality as Corbett has been one of Tipperary’s most consistent performers over the last number of years.

But Corbett, who could not be contacted last night, confirmed to team-mates he was calling it a day by sending a group text message.

Tipperary sources have indicated Corbett travelled to manager Ryan’s house in Clonoulty to inform his former team-mate in person of his decision.

Corbett’s debut appearance in an All-Ireland senior hurling final, back in 2001, was ironically in a Tipperary attack that featured Ryan at full forward.

Corbett, who had made his first senior appearance in a Tipperary shirt in a South-East league match in 2000, scored 0-2 against Galway in the 2001 decider as the Premier County claimed a first All-Ireland success since 1991.

Nine years passed before Corbett claimed a second Celtic cross, and this time his impact was far more devastating as the lethal corner forward bagged three goals against Kilkenny in the memorable 2010 final.

Corbett scored a first-half goal before adding a brace of strikes in the second half to end Kilkenny’s hopes of claiming an historic fifth successive All-Ireland senior crown. He earned the man of the match award for that game and his performances that season saw him earn an All Star as well as being crowned as Hurler of the Year.

The news of Corbett’s withdrawal comes shortly after boss Ryan cut seven players from an extended squad.

Corbett now becomes the second player from last year’s squad to announce his intercounty retirement, following in the footsteps of fellow 2010 All-Ireland medallist Benny Dunne.

In a statement released last night, the Tipperary county board confirmed the news but stressed that Corbett would be welcomed back to the panel should he have a change of heart.

“The Tipperary senior hurling management regrets that Lar Corbett has informed us of his withdrawal from the Tipperary senior hurling panel due to work and business commitments,” the statement explained. “Lar’s importance and value to the team is immeasurable and the door will remain open to him for a return to the panel if those work pressures ease.”

LAR CORBETT

Age:30 (Born March 16th, 1981)

Club: Thurles Sarsfields

Occupation: Publican

Honours:Two All-Ireland SHC titles (2001, 2010); Four Munster SHC titles (2001, 2008, 2009, 2011); Two NHL titles (2001, 2008); Four All Star awards (2009, 2010, 2011); GAA, GPA and Texaco Hurler of the Year (2010); Three Tipperary SHC titles (2005, 2009, 2010).