Franks for the memories ... Offaly defender retires from inter-county hurling

Offaly defensive ace David Franks has retired from inter-county hurling. The 33-year-old's decision to opt out of the inter-county scene severs the last remaining link with the last Offaly team to play in an All-Ireland final, the defeat in 2000 to Kilkenny. Franks' retirement follows that of fellow Ballyskenagh native Brendan Murphy. The accomplished corner-back has been playing his club hurling with Carrickshock of Kilkenny for the past number of years. He had commuted from Carlow for training for over ten years, but now wants to spend more time with his family. His last game for Offaly was this summer's narrow All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Franks told the Irish Sun: "The main reason (to retire) would be family life - I've a wife and two small kids - and I wanted to spend more time with them. "Travelling to and from training would've been a big issue. I used to travel from Carlow to Tullamore for training, which would be 55 miles or so." "I did consider coming back next year, but you have to realise the sort of training that will be involved and I'm getting older - I'll be 34 next year. When your time is up, your time is up," he added.