“Having had the great honour of being a member of the Tipperary Senior hurling panel for the past 15 years, I have decided to call time on my inter-county hurling career. It was a huge privilege for me to wear the blue and gold and to represent my county.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the many people who have supported me during my hurling career. I am very grateful to all the players, management and backroom staff who have given me such support over the years. I want to thank my club, and the people of Mullinahone, for their loyalty and encouragement during my time playing with Tipperary. I want to thank especially my family and my wife, Tracy, for the sacrifices they have made and for their great support at all times.
I am very grateful for the many opportunities and friendships that being part of this team has afforded me and I have many great memories that I will forever treasure.
Finally, I want to wish Tipperary well for the future. I have great hopes for this team and have no doubt they will go on to bring many more honours to the county”.
Speaking after hearing the news, Tipperary Co. Board Chairman, Michael Bourke, said “Paul was one of the finest backs of his generation and served his county with tremendous pride and honour. Paul was reliably consistent and was unfailing in his loyalty to the county throughout his career. On behalf of the Co. Board and Tipperary supporters I would sincerely like to wish Paul and his family the very best for the future and for continued success with his club Mullinahone”.
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Tipperary Manager’s Tribute________________________________________
Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea paid tribute to Paul Curran on his retirement from inter-county hurling.
“Paul has been a leader and inspiration for a generation of Tipperary hurlers and his contribution to Tipperary hurling has been immense. Many great players have retired from the game in recent years, but he is amongst the very best in terms of his own personal achievements and his contribution to various Tipperary successes. More importantly, he has been the driving force for excellence and improved performance within the Tipperary squad.
He is a man of ambition, resilience and integrity who has been a major force for good within the Tipperary squad for a long time. When he came into training last night to tell the players about his decision to retire it was an emotional time for all of us. His parting words to the squad were as inspirational as his many deeds on the pitch over the past 15 years.
I have no doubt that Paul will make many more contributions off the pitch to Tipperary hurling in the coming years”.
Paul Curran – Profile
Born in Mullinahone, County Tipperary, Curran first excelled at hurling in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Tipperary minor teams as a dual player before later joining the under-21 hurling side. He joined the senior panel during the 2001 championship. Curran subsequently became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won one All-Ireland medal, four Munster medals and one National Hurling League medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.
As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Curran won one Railway Cup medal. At club level he is a one-time championship medallist with Mullinahone.
His brothers, Niall and Seán, have also represented Tipperary in both Gaelic and hurling respectively.
Throughout his career Curran made 43 championship appearances. After being released from the Tipperary senior team he announced his retirement on 30 April 2015.
Lár na Páirce
Museum of the GAA and Gaelic Games
