Long-serving goalkeeper Skehill retires from inter-county hurling

AFTER a 14-year senior career in which he won an All-Ireland medal in 2017, along with three Leinster championships and two National League titles, Galway and Cappataggle goalkeeper James Skehill says he is “very content” with his decision to retire from inter-county hurling.
Having mulled over the decision at Christmas, Skehill says there were a number of factors – personal and sporting – which led him to his decision. For one, he and his wife Grace are expecting their first child in July while others included work, his age and his fall down the pecking order of Galway goalkeepers. He believes now is the right time.
“I also said to myself did I want to go back to a season of Covid measures?” he continues. “It is not the same. The camaraderie is a little less because you are in and out of dressing-rooms quick; you are not in groups; you are not conversing as much or going out together; and you are not on a bus together. There is an element of business about it.”
Although Skehill first sprang to prominence on the Galway team that won the 2005 All-Ireland minor title, the 32-year-old notes his campaign at U16 the year previous was the making of him.
In 2004, Galway won the Arrabawn All-Ireland U16 title, defeating Cork in the decider, and the team, which also included Aidan Harte and Joe Canning, were subsequently presented with their medals by Galway great Joe Connolly in the hall in Castlegar.
“Joe gave us a small speech and then he had a conversation with me afterwards. Whatever he said to me – I can’t remember the specific words – I remember that being the start, that moment when I said now I want to go on and play for Galway (seniors).”
Another to play a key role in Skehill’s development was former Galway minor manager Mattie Murphy, who led the side to All-Ireland glory in 2005. “I’ve always said it, Mattie Murphy was the best manager for me at that time of my life, at that age.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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