Kilkenny forward Charlie Carter has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
Although the team captain (32) has not had first-team opportunities, the Kilkenny management had denied a rift in the camp as recently as today.
But criticism of the Kilkenny management has been streaming into Radio Kilkenny since the announcement at 11.10 a.m., with angry supporters claiming Carter had been mistreated in recent months.
Speaking to Radio Kilkenny's Pat Treacy on Agendathis morning, Carter said he no longer had the desire to play top-flight hurling but his decision was not based on the fact that that he had fallen out of favour with the selectors.
"It's a lot of different things, it's just mainly appetite and when your appetite is gone there is no point being in there," said Carter.
Carter thanked those involved in his career to date and his family for their support in a decision that he "didn't take lightly".
The Gowran player also dismissed suggestions that he would regret the move, claiming there were more important things in life. "There is more to life than hurling," he said. "I will be shouting for the boys the whole time anyway".
News of Carter's decision came as a major shock to the Kilkenny board as well as the fans, with county chairman Ned Quinn confirming they will be doing everything they can to change the player's mind.
"We would very much like Charlie to change his mind," Quinn told Today FM. "Charlie has been a part of the Kilkenny team for a long time now. He has made an outstanding contribution over the years," he added.