Injuries behind Grugan's decision to retire

Armagh's Rory Grugan and Killian Lavelle of Monaghan ©INPHO/James Crombie

Rory Grugan says injuries played a big part in his decision to retire from Armagh duty.

The long-serving forward sustained an ACL injury during the second half of the Orchard County’s All-Ireland SFC final victory over Galway two years ago and has struggled to return to full fitness since then.

"I want to get this all cleared up and give it a proper run at pre-season (with the club)," Grugan told RTÉ.

"Since that final it's been on-off, on-off with big injuries. I've been fortunate in my career not to have too many injuries, outside of the odd ankle or hamstring short-term, but that hasn't been the case lately.

"It's only when you're not playing that you miss it. When you get older, you feel that the years are slipping away from you. You get awful jealous watching club championships at the minute."

The Ballymacnab clubman also spoke of his admiration for Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney.

"I just have so much respect for him as a manager, but also as a friend," he continued.

"You build that relationship over the years and stepping away, it's so hard because of him. You feel such a connection to the team and there's a sense of not wanting to let him down.

"There's always that argument, can you still add value? He probably thought I could, but that's just the nature of it.

"He always wants the best for his boys, the way he drove on the likes of myself, Aidan (Forker) was unreal. He supported you as a footballer, yes, but later in life, he supported you in some really, really difficult times.”