Rory Kavanagh has decided to retire from inter-county football with Donegal.

The 32-year-old told the The Donegal Democrat that it was “the hardest decision” he ever had to make.

St Eunan's midfielder Kavanagh becomes the first of Donegal’s 2012 All-Ireland-winning panel to step down following a 14-year association with the county. 

EXCLUSIVE: Rory Kavanagh announces his retirement from inter-county football with Donegal http://t.co/0wuj1Y0N2r

— Donegal Democrat (@dgldemocrat) January 15, 2015

Congratulations & best wishes to @officialdonegal's GPA Rep @123kav on his retirement from the inter-county game #GAA pic.twitter.com/HWJKBw1xvY

— GPA (@gaelicplayers) January 15, 2015