Sligo’s Eamonn O’Hara has announced his retirement from inter-county football, at the age of 37, after 19 years with his county. O’Hara was the longest serving inter-county player in the country. He will work as a pundit of The Sunday Game this summer and also take up a more promienent role in the GPA. O’Hara won 7 Sligo titles with Tourelstrane, his club, and one All Star with Sligo.

Earlier today O’Hara released a statement, saying: "It is with both sadness and a sense of great personal achievement that I announce my retirement from inter-county football today.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Image: Eamonn O'Hara
©INPHO/James Crombie