Billy Joe Padden has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

A son of Mayo legend Willie Joe Padden, the Belmullet native represented the Connacht county at all levels before throwing in his lot with Armagh following a move to Carrickruppen - who he intends continuing to line out for - in 2010. Padden's decision comes after a limited number of appearances last season and his omission from new Orchard County manager Paul Grimley's preliminary 2013 squad.

The 31-year-old centre forward insists he has no gripe with Grimley's decision to overlook him.

"I spoke to Paul and, to be honest, I don't think I was going to be part of his plans and it was fair enough - there was no animosity there," he told the Irish News.

"I don't think next year was going to work for me and I think what Armagh are doing is right, they're trying to make a clean start with young players and that's probably what's needed.

"I think my time had come anyway. When you don't play, you don't want to hang around. Armagh are probably better off having a young fella there in the panel learning and maybe getting his opportunity whereas there's not much to be gained from me being there.

"When I look back on last year, I'm disappointed that I didn't play more. But sure there are lots of fellas on the panel that feel like that. But it's in the past now - you can't dwell on it too much." Tweet

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