29 years after winning his first Waterford senior club title, Dan Shanahan has finally announced his retirement from hurling at the age of 45.
The Lismore man stepped back from the intercounty game in 2010, but had continued with his club career over the past 12 years. He has decided to finally call it a day after an illustrious playing career.
Dan Shanahan retires from hurling after 30 year career
It's fair to say that Dan Shanahan will be remembered as a Waterford hurling legend.
Shanahan plied his trade for Lismore for 30 years at senior level, winning his first Waterford club title at the age of just 16 in 1993.
Though that would be the only silverware at senior club level for Shanahan during his career, he would win the Waterford and Munster intermediate championships in 2016 with the club.
45-year-old Dan Shanahan starts for Lismore! Their Waterford quarter-final against Mount Sion is coming up live on @SportTG4. pic.twitter.com/MvjFa7aeAM
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 28, 2022
He was still a key part of the team during the 2022 county championship, which ultimately saw Lismore knocked out by Mount Sion at the quarter-final stage. Incredibly, Shanahan started the game at the age of 45.
Shanahan revealed in an interview with WLR that his mind was made up on retirement after that Mount Sion game:
I hung up the boots after the Mount Sion game. I was disappointed with the way it ended for me but that's sport. I've given 30 years to my club and I've no regrets.
I played one junior year, one intermediate year and the rest was all senior. It was phenomenal, I loved going up to my club and putting on the jersey. I gave it everything I had on the good days and on the bad days.
I always say it to the young lads in Lismore: the club is where you start and the club is where you finish.
I've had a fantastic career - I loved putting on the jersey and I'll never forget where I came from.
9 August 2020; Dan Shanahan of Lismore during the Waterford County Senior Hurling Championship Group D match between Dungarvan and Lismore at Fraher Field in Dungarvan, Waterford. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
The player nicknamed "Dan the Man" produced some amazing moments in the Waterford jersey. His greatest achievement was the phenomenal 2007 season, in which he won Hurler of the Year after playing a crucial role in winning Waterford both the Munster and National League titles.
In his final intercounty season in 2010, he scored the decisive goal in extra-time in Waterford's Munster final replay win against Cork.
17 July 2010; Donal Og Cusack is beaten in the Cork goal by Dan Shanahan's shot is extra time. Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Final Replay, Cork v Waterford, Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
His intercounty career saw him win four Munster senior championships and a National League title, as well as playing a pivotal role in the team which reached the 2008 All-Ireland senior final.
Dan Shanahan's retirement brings to an end one of the greatest careers in Waterford's hurling history. He will be remembered as one of the Déise's greatest ever players, and a legend of the modern game.
After a 30-year career, taking in success at club and intercounty level, it's hard to argue with the legacy he leaves behind.
Some man for one man is Dan.
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