Column: Henry Shefflin - A lesson to us all

10 All Ireland titles
13 Leinster titles
6 National Leagues
3 All-Ireland club
2 Fitzgibbon
11 All Stars

Will that ever be topped? 'Know when to walk away and know when to run,' as the song goes...

This man never made headlines at under age level. He played in goal a fair bit. He was carrying a few extra pounds. Henry Shefflin watched his brothers perform at minor and U21 level and must have thought 'will I ever follow in their footsteps and wear the black and amber of Kilkenny?'

"His greatest attribute was he had it all."

How many players were in this position? How many coaches have discarded this type of player?

That is why, in his farewell speech, he mentions particularly those that stuck by him in difficult times and when he was not at his best. Those who gave the opportunity when there seemed there was none. The rest is history. It is a lesson to us all.

What a gentleman off the field of play, but all the memories are of what he achieved on the green sod of Nowlan Park, Thurles and Croke Park and the many other venues that he graced.

His greatest attribute was he had it all, as most observers would say. Height, speed, skill, vision, striking off left and right, catching in the air. He was a great freetaker, but for me his most telling feature was his sheer work rate around the field.

His hooking, his blocking, his unselfish work for his team mates. Combine all this with the upper half and you have a champ, a leader, an inspiration among his peers.

Shefflin's greatest achievement for me was his second half performance against Galway in the All-Ireland Final a few years back when they were battered in the first period.

When the King went to number 11 after the restart he turned the game on its head single handedly. Give me the ball and I will do the rest.

Stories of Ring, Mackey, Babs and Carey are legendary and will never be forgotten. Sheff has now taken on this mantle and will never be forgotten.

I grew up hearing of Ring and how good he was, Henry is now up there with best and if you are from the Marble City you will say the best ever.

The ballad of Christy Ring is still heard on the northside of the Lee and many other places. Surely there has to be a "Ballad of Sheff? He deserves it.

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