27 September 2014; Henry Shefflin being interviewed as children of the Kilkenny squad and backroom team play on the pitch after the breathtaking GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship Final Replay, between the Cats and Tipperary. The photo by Sportsfile's Brendan Moran was snapped minutes after Henry had won his 10th All Ireland medal. It also marked the start of Today FM coverage of a sporting achievement that is unlikely to be surpassed. In journalism you're supposed to be impartial. Thankfully I was able to do just that. Even though Tipperary had just come up short against their great rivals. It was the last time Henry would play in the black and amber and in hurling in particular great play and great players are celebrated no matter where they are from. Even if your team has just lost.
One of the few consolations from the day was that the interviews with Henry on the day which went out the following morning on Championship Sunday and later when he announced his retirement in Langtons resulted in Today FM landing the 2015 Sports Story of the Year award trophy at Galway's Radisson Hotel.
Good to be on stage with the bould John Duggan after a tough year for the pair of us. I'm sure strings were pulled though.
Fair play to the mother, Tony Fenton and Johnny Lyons on that score.
Henry Shefflin has no hurling peers. A record breaking 10 All Ireland winners medals, a three time hurler of the year and 11 time All Star. When he achieved the magic 10 it was big news and when he quit the inter county scene it was big news. Today FM was there every step of the way. The morning after his 10th All Ireland medal win on September 28th 2014 he featured in an exclusive interview on Today FM's Championship Sunday. When word came through that a press conference was being called in Kilkenny, on March 25th 2015, speculation was rife that the end was nigh. The press conference got underway at 12.15. A news report on the announcement was included in the Today FM National Lunchtime News at 1.00. How did he know it was time? And what did he mean to the people of his native county were questions answered on the spot. The following morning on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast show further insights were provided from the player himself about what he would miss most and what he most looked forward to in his first summer off in his adult life. The pride of his parents and wife Deirdre were also shared with the nation. We feel we captured the mood of the nation and provided proper context on the story of the retirement of one of Ireland's sporting greats. Thanks to the PPI for recognising that. Also thanks to Henry for his participation anytime he was asked for a few words also to his wife Deirdre, his dad Henry Senior and his mother May who helped the rest of us understand the development of the Ballyhale star into one of Ireland's sporting greats. I won't get into thanking the Academy etc but thanks to John Duggan for the friendship, thanks to Peter McPartlin for the support. Thanks to Selga,
Martin and Moira Collins for everything else.
Entry running order
0.00 - 2.29 interview with Today FM's Paul Collins on the pitch in Croke Park after Henry Shefflin secured his 10th All Ireland senior hurling winners medal following a replay win over Tipperary broadcast on Championship Sunday on September 28th 2014 at 920 am.
2.30- 5.30 Henry's career and achievements put into context on Championship Sunday September 28th 2014 immiediately after the broadcast of the inteview by Clare's double All Ireland winning Captain Anthony Daly.
5.34 - 6.55 A look ahead to the March 25th 2015 press conference at which Henry was expected to announce his retirement with former Kilkenny star DJ Carey, featured on Today FM's Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show 830am on March 25th 2015.
6.56 - 851 Report by Paul Collins confirming that Henry Shefflin was retiring, featured on the National Lunchtime News at 1pm within minutes of the conclusion of the press conference in Langtons Hotel Kilkenny.
852 - 11.20 The morning after the announcement coverage of the announcement on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on March 26th 2015 at 730am as the Kilkenny county board chairman speculates on his future and Henry himself explains the process behind his decision.
1124 The 830am morning sports report on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show featuring social media feedback to the announcement in addition to family insights from his parents May and Henry Senior along with his wife Deirdre including what the man himself was most relishing in his retirement.
