Conor Sweeney will go down as a Tipp Footballing great

By Shane Brophy

Conor Sweeney will go down as one of the all-time greats of Tipperary football following his retirement from the inter-county game.

The 34-year-old steps away following a fifteen-year senior career, on top of playing minor and under 21 football for Tipperary going back to 2007.

The Ballyporeen clubman made 38 senior championship appearances in that time, and 143 in all, making him the player with the most appearances ever for a Tipperary senior footballer, well clear of Brian Fox who is next on 117.

“I feel truly honoured and privileged to have represented my county over the last number of years, and I have genuinely loved every minute of my time in the blue & gold (and green & white),” he said.

With a wand of a left foot, Sweeney will have his place in history as the man who skippered Tipperary to the historic Munster title in 2020, a first in 85 years on the same weekend which marked the centenary of Bloody Sunday. Not only that, Sweeney was man of the match in that win over Cork, scoring seven points, five from play.

That success wouldn’t have happened but for Sweeney’s last gasp point with the outside of his left foot in the semi-final win over Limerick which rescued a draw for Tipperary who went onto win in extra time. His performances in that 2020 campaign saw him earn an All-Star, just Tipperary’s third joining Declan Browne (1998 & 2002), and Michael Quinlivan (2016).

“I would like to thank all the players whom I have had the pleasure of sharing a dressing room with, undoubtedly the most rewarding aspect of my time with Tipp,” Sweeney added.

“The friendships made, and craic shared will stay with me forever. I have loved the opportunity to play alongside some of the best players Tipperary has had to offer over the last number of years.

“I would also like to thank all the various managers, coaches and extended backroom staff whom I worked with since I started out in 2010. Your support was always greatly appreciated.

He added: “To my clubs Ballyporeen and Skeheenarinky, thank you for everything that you have done for me since I was a child. The club is where my love of GAA was born and nurtured and for all your support over the years, I thank you. I am honoured to be a part of two proud teams for whom the future is bright.

“I am blessed to be a part of a wonderful community in Ballyporeen, and I want to sincerely thank everyone in the village for their loyalty and support throughout the good times and the bad. I was honoured to represent you in the blue and gold over the last number of years.

“To my family, undoubtedly my biggest supporters, I would never have reached the standards I did without your support and backing. To my parents, Mike and Bernie thank you for steering me in the right direction, knowing ye had my back no matter what the circumstances meant everything to me, thank you for everything. To my siblings, Gemma, Mikey & Amy, thank you also for always supporting me throughout my time playing for Tipp.

“To my Wife Shauna, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to become the player I did. You have been with me throughout my entire career and your loyalty and unwavering support made it possible for me to have the career I did. Your commitment and sacrifice made it possible for me to do what I loved for so long. To you and Connie, thank you.

Sweeney made his senior debut for Tipperary in 2010 in the McGrath Cup against UL, and his league and championship debuts in 2010, both against Laois. However, it was with the arrival of Liam Kearns as manager in 2016 that saw Sweeney emerge as a national star, scoring 2-2 as Tipperary defeated Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-finals at Croke Park to reach their first All-Ireland semi-final since 1935, with Sweeney scoring 3-9 in that campaign.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge two people that are no longer with us, but whom had a massive impact on me throughout my career; the late Liam Kearns and Pat O’Callaghan,” Sweeney added.

“Liam, as everyone will know, was a previous manager and an excellent one at that, and Pat was the groundsman in Coolmore Morris Park since I started training there as a sixteen-year-old. Two people who are and will continue to be greatly missed by all who knew them.”

In 2017, Sweeney was named in the Ireland squad for the International Rules Series against Australia. In January 2023, Sweeney suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in the opening round of the National Football League against Down and missed the rest of the season but made his return this year against Waterford in the Munster Championship.

“The journey I have had will be remembered for all the right reasons,” he added.

“We had some great days, but all good things must come to an end. I have been selfish for so long, and now it’s time to focus on other aspects of my life. I would like to wish Philly and all the team the very best in the future and I look forward to supporting the team from the stands. Up Tipp!”

Tipperary GAA also thanked Conor for his “exceptional and unquestionable commitment to football in Tipperary, both on the field as a player and off it as one of the greatest ambassadors for football that this county has ever had.

“We wish Conor all the very best for the next chapter in his life and no doubt we will see him back on the field in years to come in a coaching capacity preparing the next generation for success in the Tipperary jersey.”