Former Kildare senior captain David Hyland has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

The 31-year-old made his senior inter-county debut in 2013 and went on to make 136 competitive appearances in a Kildare jersey.

Last year saw him playing an integral role as the Lilywhites backed up promotion to Division 2 of the Allianz League with a Tailteann Cup triumph in the summer.

Indeed, the 2025 season would be an extra special one for Hyland as it also saw him captaining his native Athy to Kildare senior football championship glory after they halted Naas’s five-in-a-row bid in October.

Hyland follows Lilywhites teammates Daniel Flynn, Mick O’Grady and Niall Kelly in hanging up his boots from the inter-county game. 

A statement posted online by Kildare GAA, which was signed by county board chairman Mícheál Ó Maoláin, read as follows:

 “On behalf of Kildare GAA, we wish to sincerely thank David Hyland for his outstanding service, following his decision to retire from inter-county football.

“He began his inter-county career in 2006 with the development squads and went on to be a member of Kildare minor team in 2011 and 2012. He then went on to play three years at under-21 level, winning a Leinster Championship in 2013 as part of a stellar group, many of whom graduated to play senior for Kildare. He is the last of that winning panel to retire from the current senior set-up. He also won a Sigerson Cup with UCD in 2016.

“He made his debut for the county seniors as a substitute against Mayo in Castlebar and went on to make 136 competitive appearances for the Lilywhites, putting him 13th on the all-time list. He scored 2-31 for Kildare and was captain in 2020 and 2021.

“His Kildare career finished on a high note with Tailteann Cup victory against Limerick last summer. His dedication, leadership and influence on younger players, can never be underestimated and are a hallmark to his career.

“A player who always gave his all in the Kildare jersey, David Hyland has stamped his place in the Kildare GAA history books, and we wish him all the best for the future.

“Go raibh míle maith agat.” 

David Hyland Retires from Inter County Football

On behalf of Kildare GAA, we wish to thank David Hyland for his outstanding service, following his decision to retire from Inter County Football.

For the full statement, please visit https://t.co/hUUIVi40HP pic.twitter.com/vl5l4a16aS

— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) January 4, 2026

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