Dublin captain and nine-time All-Ireland winner James McCarthy announces his retirement

All-time Dublin great James McCarthy has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

The 34-year-old’s career spanned 14 seasons and included nine All-Ireland wins, a record that he holds alongside teammates Stephen Cluxton and Michael Fitzsimons.

The news doesn’t come as a shock given McCarthy’s length of service and the fact that he struggled with injury this year but, having played for Leinster in the recent trial games around the experimental rules, it fuelled speculation that he may give it another year.

However, in a statement, McCarthy said that while the “decision hasn’t been an easy one to make”, he feels it’s “the right time”.

“I have been very fortunate to have been involved in a golden period for Dublin GAA and I have played with the most incredible group of players. It really has been some of the best days of my life and I have memories to last a lifetime.”

More to follow…

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