Kildare footballer Johnny Doyle has announced his retirement from inter-county football after a 15 year playing career.
In a statement, Doyle said his decision to hang up his boots was made reluctantly in light of family commitments.
The Allenwood clubman, who was named as an All-Star for his exceptional performances in 2010, also extended his best wishes to the current team and management in their pursuit of success – something that largely eluded Kildare during Doyle’s career.
He retires having collected just one piece of silverware throughout his time with the Lillywhites – a National League Division 2 in his debut season.
I wish to announce my retirement from county football today. I make this decision very reluctantly but do so based on my family commitments.
It has been a great privilege for me to have worn the Kildare jersey for the past 15 years and a wonderful honour to have soldiered with and against so many great players.
This commitment has shaped me as a person and Kildare football has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. However, I am confident that now is the right time to close this chapter and move on to an exciting period in my life.
I would like to acknowledge the support of my family which has been, at all times, unconditional. Quite frankly I could not have functioned without that extraordinary backing and I am so grateful.
I would like to thank my club Allenwood GFC who I was so proud and honoured to represent. Thanks to the Kildare supporters who have always shown great loyalty to me as a player and to our county squad. Without doubt the greatest supporters in the country.
Thanks to our sponsors Tegral and more recently Brady’s Ham and to the Kildare Co Board for the support during my county career. Thanks also to Club Kildare for their support over the years.
I have played for Kildare under five different managers and I would like to pay tribute to all five for placing their faith in me as a footballer. Thanks also to the various management teams and backroom staff for their support and kindness over the years.
Finally I would like to wish Jason Ryan, his management team and the current Kildare squad the very best of luck and successes for the championship season 2014 and indeed on into the future.