DJ Carey: "The people who got the biggest shock about my retirement were my own family. My wife, Christina, knew what I was thinking but didn't think I would go ahead with it." - (Photograph: Dylan Vaughan).

DJ Carey received no inducements to retract his decision to retire. This was emphasised by the vice-chairman of the Kilkenny county board, Ned Quinn, at yesterday's press conference in Langton's Hotel, Kilkenny, at which Carey expanded on his reasons for coming back.

Carey also acknowledged that he had received advice from the Pro-Active sports management company, although he denied a formal link-up.

Reading a prepared statement at the start of proceedings, Quinn - who handled the negotiations which convinced Carey to return in the absence of chairman John Healy, who has been unwell - said:

"I want to say at this early stage clearly and unequivocally that no inducement of any kind, financial or otherwise, was offered to DJ Carey to return to the game, from any source."

This was clearly directed at widespread rumours within the county that some sort of a financial deal had been arrived at in order to persuade the player to return. Quinn also underlined that yesterday's press conference would be the last opportunity to discuss the player's retirement, although Carey would continue to be available to the media before and after matches.

In response to questions, Carey expanded on his surprisingly quick decision to overturn his even more surprising original announcement. "People say that I was naive, but in fairness it wasn't that. I just didn't believe that there were that many fans out there. "The people who got the biggest shock about my retirement were my own family. My wife, Christina, knew what I was thinking but didn't think I would go ahead with it.

"But it was put to me strongly by her and another family member who pointed out that my own son, Sean, might never see me hurling if I didn't go back.

"So I suppose number one would be my own family, and number two the ongoing discussions with Ned and Kevin. And it was put to me that it would be a bigger boost to the team to have me on the panel, even if I wasn't hurling well, than if I wasn't there at all. I can't turn my back on those two things."

In relation to Pro-Active, with whom his name has been publicly associated, Carey outlined his dealings with the company set up by, amongst others, former Irish international and Dublin footballer Kevin Moran. Under the provisions of new GAA rules on amateurism, yet to be codified by Central Council, players are forbidden to make use of outside agents.

"I went to the (Pro-Active) launch a couple of years ago and it has been suggested that I joined up. That was not the case either then or since," Carey said. "I have met Gerry Kelly (a principal in Pro-Active) on numerous occasions and asked his advice, but I don't want to step on anyone's toes and that's the extent of my link with Pro-Active. I haven't joined up. If, in the future, the GAA allows it, that's another matter, but I haven't given it serious thought."

In answer to a question as to whether he had been motivated to send a message to the county board by "political" considerations, he denied the suggestion.

". . . Outside of the game I have nothing. I don't drink or smoke. I have my own business, my own home, my own family. I have nothing in the game, no financial rewards. I have my own money. Obviously we could all do with more, if it ever comes, but I have a life which is good to me out of what I have and I'm happy with that."

At this stage Quinn interjected that there had "never been any difficulty" between Carey and the county board. "DJ Carey is not one of those players looking for money. In fact he has only claimed his expenses up to July of last year."

When news of the player's comeback was announced less than two weeks ago, he was en route to the US for a family holiday. At the time, the county secretary, Pat Dunphy, said that the county board would be establishing structures to protect the player from excessive demands on his free time. While not elaborating on these structures, Quinn referred to the issue.

"There are extraordinary demands on DJ," he said. "After a match in somewhere like Limerick, the rest of the team might be heading back to Kilkenny, but DJ would be off to the west of Ireland to present medals.

"I believe it's important that top players do go and present awards, but I also feel that DJ needs to be protected. He has been accessible to you (the media); but the telephone is one thing, travelling around another. These events should suit DJ, rather then the other way around."

Carey referred to the rumours that went into hyper-circulation around the time of his original announcement and often intruded into his private life. "I'm the last to hear a rumour. What's gone on is past. I laugh about the rumours now. Ninety-nine point nine per cent are untrue and point one per cent are true."

He also referred to the huge volume of correspondence he had received from hurling supporters around the country and beyond, including a long-time Kilkenny emigrant in Canada who wanted to bring his daughters home this year to see Kilkenny play in an All-Ireland final, but said that he would cancel his plans unless Carey reconsidered his retirement.

More reasonable were the many letters from schoolchildren, some, according to Carey, "not even able to write" but whose teachers had included short notes "saying this is how the children feel about you".

Carey confirmed that he would be returning to the game immediately and said that he would be back in training yesterday evening with his club, Gowran.

"Next Sunday will be the first match (Gowran begin the league stage of the county championship). Whenever the (Kilkenny) management think I'm ready, I'm available."