Veteran O'Hara calls time on Sligo career
Sligo's Eamonn O'Hara has today called time on his long-standing inter-county senior football career.
O'Hara had been the longest serving player on any senior inter-county football team, having made his debut against Mayo in the 1994 Connacht SFC semi-final.
Last weekend it was announced that he would be an analyst on RTÉ's 'The Sunday Game' this summer.
This, coupled with his decision last January to take a break from inter-county football due to work commitments, fuelled speculation that O'Hara would not line out for the Yeats men in the 2013 Championship.
This morning, in a statement issued through the Gaelic Players Association, O'Hara said it was with regret that he has decided to call time on his inter-county career.
"It is with both sadness and a sense of great personal achievement that I announce my retirement from inter-county football today," he said.
"While Gaelic football has been and continues to be a massive part of my life, I believe after nearly two decades wearing the Sligo jersey, the time is right for me to step aside.
"I do so knowing that I was very privileged to have played for my county, my province and my country."
The holder of one Connacht SFC medal, an All-Star award and Division 3 and 4 Allianz League medals, along with appearances for Ireland in the International Rules Series, O'Hara said it was a tremendous honour to have had such a long-standing career in a Sligo jersey.
"To represent your county is an honour but to have been afforded the opportunity to play 19 seasons for Sligo is truly humbling.
"I have played with and against some of the best footballers ever to have graced a football pitch and I have developed great friendships along the way."
O'Hara paid tribute to all of those who had helped him during his playing days.
"I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my career, my club Tourlestrane, my close friends and especially my family, whose loyalty and patience has underpinned my commitment to county football."
Along with Sligo, O'Hara has had a tremendous career with his club Tourlestrane, winning seven Sligo SFC titles. He will continue to line out for his club.
"I will continue playing with Tourlestrane but I also look forward to pursuing other opportunities including my new role working with RTÉ’s 'Sunday Game' team as a football analyst and getting more involved with the Gaelic Players Association past players group.
"I will be holding a testimonial charity match later in the year involving Sligo and a Rest of Ireland selection with proceeds going to the Sligo Hospice."
