2026 was always going to be Kilkenny's last year with Dubs August 05, 2026Dublin's Ciaran Kilkenny in action against Louth ©INPHO/James Crombie Dublin's Ciaran Kilkenny in action against Louth ©INPHO/James CrombieCiaran Kilkenny says it was always his intention to retire from Dublin duty at the end of this season. The long-serving Castleknock clubman won eight All-Ireland SFC titles, 13 Leinster Championships, five Allianz Football League medals and six All-Stars in a glittering career. "There came a lot of emotion with each game and especially where it got to the stage of knockout games, where each match could potentially be my last game playing for Dublin. But the best team won on the day if I'm being honest. You will always be looking back on games and analysing games.