Former Laois and Ireland International Rules star Tom Kelly has been forced to retire due to the severity of a neck injury sustained last year.

Kelly sustained a broken bone in his neck while playing for his club St Joseph's during a Laois senior league match nine months ago.

He has made a good recovery but has now been informed that he would taking a grave risk should he attempt to resume his playing career.

He said, "I've been told never to play again because it would be too dangerous. I'm only 31. To think I'll never play football again is tough to swallow."

Kelly enjoyed an exceptional career, starring at centre back as Laois ended a 57-year wait for a Leinster senior football championship in 2003.

At the end of that year he was among three Laois representatives on the All-Star XV, making him one of just five Laois men to have received that accolade since the awards were first introduced 40 years ago.

He also represented Ireland in four International Rules series between 2003 and 2006, and was named Ireland's Player of the Series in Australia in 2005. Tweet

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