Henry Shefflin hung up his Kilkenny hurl today following 16 years in black-and-amber that included 10 All-Irelands.

After enjoying the most decorated career in the history of the small ball, the Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman has become one of the most familiar faces in Irish sport.

Here we trace his maturity from a tyro bursting onto the inter-county scene in the last century, to this afternoon's press conference.

Headshot in 1999 ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Headshot in 2000 ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Pointing the way (after a goal in the Leinster semi) in 2001 ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Headshot in 2002 ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Kilkenny press night in 2003 ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Headshot in 2004 ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

With Brian Cody after winning Leinster in 2005 ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

With his Texaco Sportstars Award in 2006 ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Headshot in 2007 ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

With Diarmuid O'Sullivan of Cork in 2008 ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Headshot in 2009 ©INPHO/Eoin Hennessy

Headshot in 2010 ©INPHO/Eoin Hennessy

Dejected after Ballyhale Shamrocks lose the Kilkenny final in 2011 ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

With his daughter Sadhbh winning the All-Ireland Senior Championship Final Replay in 2012 ©INPHO/James Crombie

After being sent off against Cork in 2013 ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

At the All-Ireland homecoming with 'himself' (Conor Dwyer) last September ©INPHO/James Crombie

During today's press conference to announce his inter-county retirement ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy