Injury-ravaged former Meath captain Kevin Reilly has been forced to retire from intercounty football.
The Navan O'Mahonys clubman has cited persistent, insurmountable injuries as the reason for his premature exit from the intercounty stage.
A Leinster SFC winners in 2010, the hugely-influential Reilly was part of the Royal County set-up for eleven seasons but his career was blighted by injury in recent times to the extent where he had been reduced to a peripheral figure.
Ultimately, a hip injury sustained in last year's Leinster final has proven impossible to overcome. The player has released the following statement through the GPA, cataloging the eye-watering series of injuries suffered in the line of duty:
"I feel compelled to explain my reasons for retiring at 29 years old. Some might say what should have been the prime of my career. Persistent and serious injury has led me to call time on my intercounty playing days.
"This one I just cannot come back from. Three surgeries, my back, hip and Achilles tendon, bulging discs, frequent hamstring, quad and hip flexor tears, broken arm, foot, nose, fingers and vertebrae, chronic tendonitis and cartilage damage in knees, shoulders and Achilles tendons have all taken their toll on my body, but it has been the hip injury I suffered in the Leinster final of 2014 that has brought my career to a premature end.
"I loved every minute in the green and gold Meath jersey. The pride and satisfaction I got from wearing the No.3 jersey was unrivalled. All be it an unfruitful career in terms of medals won, I look back fondly on the opportunity Meath GAA has given me.
"With the greatest gratitude in the world, I want to sincerely thank my family, managers, selectors, fellow players and all the supporters of Meath football. In particular I want to take this opportunity to thank my father and brothers who introduced me to Gaelic football, my mother for always having my gear ready until I moved out. My club, Navan O'Mahonys, for not only developing my skills as a player, but for the family of people that are there supporting through thick and thin, Sean Boylan for having faith in an 18-year-old kid, Mick O'Dowd for appointing me captain and Niall Moyna for going above and beyond during my time in DCU."
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