Armagh goalkeeper Philip McEvoy has announced his inter-county retirement - just five days after lining out against Tyrone in the McKenna Cup.

The 32-year-old Dromintee clubman played in the 1-8 to 3-10 defeat at the Athletic Grounds, but has since decided to call it a day with Niall Geoghegan and Mark McNeice now set to battle it out for possession of the number one jersey. McEvoy's retirement comes after those of Aaron Kernan and Brian Mallon at the end of last season.

Despite being part of the panel for seven years, McEvoy had to wait until after Paul Hearty's retirement in 2012 to make his Ulster SFC debut against Tyrone. He was ever-present in the Orchard County's run to last year's All-Ireland quarter-final.

In a statement on the Armagh GAA website, he explained: "Over the weekend I have informed the Armagh Players and Management that I have decided to leave the Armagh Senior Panel and consequently retire from playing Inter County football. This decision did not come easy but my personal circumstances have greatly changed from last year and this has directly led to my decision.

"Without question I have been given immense support from all teammates, management, friends and family to commit for a further year in 2015. In recent weeks however, I have unfortunately not been able to give my full commitment, which I have utterly prided myself in doing for the past seven years. This is pivotal to what we strive to achieve.

"With this in mind, and having spoken recently at length with my immediate family, I feel it is now best for me to focus the remainder of my playing career solely with my club Dromintee. I will gladly continue to assist in the development of underage goalkeepers both at my club and within the Simplyfruit Orchard Academy.

"I would most sincerely like to thank everyone who has encouraged and supported me throughout my Inter-County career. Most importantly my wife Majella and my family, who have made huge personal sacrifices and without whose continuous support I could not have realised my childhood dream of putting on the 'Armagh No 1 Jersey' - a true honour indeed that has given me many happy memories.

"On a personal note I would like to sincerely thank the very hard working Team Managers that I have played under and for the faith they demonstrated in me. To all my wonderful team mates over the years with whom I have been privileged to play - thank you for your friendship, humour and incredible work ethic.

"I now look forward to attending many Armagh matches with my young family, alongside the rest of Armagh's fantastic supporters, and cheering on our Team every step of the way, in what I hope will be a long and successful summer for all concerned."

In a separate statement, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney said: "Over the weekend 'Philly' as he is commonly referred to, spoke with myself and my Management and informed us that he felt it was in his personal interests that he should retire from Inter county Football.

"Whilst we earnestly tried to convince Philly that he was a very significant part of the County's future, he explained that he genuinely needed to spend more time with his young family. He had recently requested this and it was indeed facilitated, but he now feels the time is correct to bring down the curtain on his county career."

Tweet

Most Read Stories