TJ Reid at Croke Park as Centra announced an extension of their sponsorship of the All-Ireland GAA Hurling Senior Championship for another five years. As the longest serving sponsor of the competition, 2025 marks Centra’s 16th year sponsoring the All-Ireland GAA Hurling Senior Championship. To celebrate, Centra launched “Where there’s Hurling, there’s Centra” campaign which showcases Centra’s support for Gaelic Games at both a national and local level. Centra’s independent retailers across Ireland directly support an estimated 1,000 GAA clubs to the value of over €1.5 million, demonstrating Centra’s commitment to supporting all levels of Gaelic Games from grassroots to the highest levels. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
By John Harrington
TJ Reid hasn’t discounted the possibility that he’s capable of playing senior inter-county hurling with Kilkenny into his 40th year.
Now 37 and about to embark on his 19th championship campaign for the Cats, the Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman sees no reason why his body shouldn’t be able as long as his mind is willing and he’s enjoying the game.
“I can, yeah,” said Reid when asked could he could still hurl at the highest level into his 40th year.
“I have to ask the wife first, so I do! But, yeah, the human body is a tool that can be used.
"Injury-wise I've been very lucky that I've had a few niggles here and there a few things that put me out for a few weeks or months but nothing long-term.
“There were great soldiers back in the day like Mick Fennelly and Michael Rice who just with bad injuries probably had to retire two or three years early. Richie Power was another with his knee. Richie Hogan. Pádraic Maher.
“Unfortunately injuries can come on and it does make a decision a little bit easier. But I'm very lucky that I've had no major injuries that put me out. So we'll see how the 40 goes!”
“The body is good, I look after myself. My industry is health and fitness. My job is to inspire people to be better and to look after themselves with their health and fitness and strength and conditioning and nutrition.
“The main thing is that you have to enjoy it. The big thing is that you want to be going training, you want to be there, you have the willingness to put in the effort, the willingess to sacrifice, the willingness to dedicate your life to it because it's a high priority thing.
“For me, I have my family, my work, and my hurling. That's what I enjoy doing. I've nothing else outside of that. As I said, you have to enjoy it.”
