Sligo great Eamonn O'Hara has announced his retirement from intercounty football.

The 2002 All Star, who twice represented Ireland in the International Rules series, had been a key member of the Yeats County set-up for 19 years and was the longest-serving intercounty player in the country.

Thirty-seven-year-old O'Hara has joined The Sunday Game's panel and intends to assume a more prominent position in the Gaelic Players Association.

The Tourlestrane clubman has released a statement explaining the reasons for his decision to retire:

"It is with both sadness and a sense of great personal achievement that I announce my retirement from intercounty 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." Tweet

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