Wishing Karl Lacey the best in retirement
Donegals most decorated footballer with 4 all stars and a POTY award

Karl had won 3 all stars prior to 2012 which is remarkable considering the teams he played in won just one provincial title in that period

Prior to 2010 he was the best man marker in the game - always tasked with man marking the opposition key attacking threat - evolved into a key playmaker at CHB dynamically shifting play to attack whilst marshalling the defence formation

What stood out for me was his footballing Brain - always in the right place and always taking the right option in possession. Calmness personified whilst having a habit of picking off scores at key moments in the game.

Abiding memories his winning point v Kerry and delivery to Murphy v mayo.
One of and argueably Donegals greatest

Karl - All the best with family life and retirement

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 31/08/2017 20:08:23    2041312

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 31/08/2017 20:17:20    2041317

Really great player.

Laois blood in him, the Laceys of St. Josephs.

Laois76 (Laois) - Posts: 1270 - 31/08/2017 20:35:02    2041333

Rolls Royce of a player deserving player of the year 2012.

jacktheDub (Dublin) - Posts: 944 - 31/08/2017 20:44:24    2041336

Super player

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8591 - 31/08/2017 21:01:00    2041345

Great player. Enjoy retirement Karl.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 31/08/2017 21:04:22    2041350

All the best in your retirement Karlo. You absolutely gave everything for the cause and you will rightfully be remembered as Donegals best.
Some supporters may reminisce about a key score at a crucial time of the game or some great deliveries in the build up to scores.
My abiding memory of you was a stylish footballer and was the uncanny knack you had of being able to regain possession when you were given the task of marking the opposition danger man (& men sometimes). Prior to moving to CHB in 2011-2012 I think I could recall you being able to dispossess your man at least 1 or twice in every game. Sometimes it was as good as a score....and was celebrated like one amongst supporters.

green and gold (Donegal) - Posts: 105 - 31/08/2017 21:06:01    2041351

Thanks Karl for all you done for Donegal, gave us some great days, I'll never forget that pass into Murph for the goal in the All Ireland final, I think we would have beaten Dublin in the famous 2011 semi as well had Karl stayed on the pitch but maybe it was all for luck as we were playing at full tilt in 2012,
magnificent player all the best in retirement from intercounty, a true legend of the game.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2747 - 31/08/2017 21:19:08    2041359

Another legend leaving the inter-county scene this week, one of the greats for Donegal. Best of luck to him in the future.

oakleafersir (Derry) - Posts: 808 - 31/08/2017 21:39:19    2041368

Terrific footballer. Absolute class.

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 31/08/2017 22:01:12    2041383

A brilliant footballer, amazing man marker.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 31/08/2017 22:23:17    2041395

One of the finest half backs of the last 10 to 15 years happy retirement

prideof85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 851 - 31/08/2017 22:49:01    2041405

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 31/08/2017 23:01:08    2041413

Karl was so good he was winning All Stars even when Donegal weren't challenging for honours. He was the "go to man" to man mark the best forward on the opposition and very good at it too.
It's great for the county to have him involved in coaching at 3rd level and also at underage and hopefully he'll stay at it.
It's been a joy to have seen him play for Donegal. I'm sure he'll enjoy no preseason next year!
Thanks Karl

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 31/08/2017 23:15:56    2041421

Enjoy your retirement Karl and thanks for the memories. A class act both on and off the field.

InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 31/08/2017 23:29:27    2041424

A really classy footballer. His All Star haul pre 2012 really stands out and shows the ability that the man had.

Well done and happy retirement.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 31/08/2017 23:35:27    2041426

Silky footballer, best of luck to him in his retirement.

Maybe it's a trick of the memory on my part, but was Lacey one of the three inter-county footballers (along with Donaghy and Darran O'Sullivan) a couple of years back who jacked in their jobs to concentrate on football for the summer?

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 01/09/2017 06:00:15    2041455

One of the best players ever to come out of Donegal. His long foot pass into Murphy for Donegal's first goal in the 2012 final will live long in the memory.

Best wishes to him on his retirement.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 01/09/2017 08:11:26    2041464

Great wing back and always a threat going forward
Wish him well in retirement

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 01/09/2017 08:57:45    2041469

The ultimate defender four all stars two for corner back one for centre half back and one for wing back. Him and Michael Murphy(still is) were my idols and actually was on the hill right behind the goals when murphy got that goal and was on the cusack watching lacey kick that score against Kerry in the same year.
him Thompson and Cassidy just had this unbelievable drive from half back !!!!

I would say I am one of the few people outside of Donegal that loved watching them play the way these men particulary lacey would just keep coming forward could only be appreciated seeing it live.

royalcounty1 (Meath) - Posts: 15 - 01/09/2017 09:12:55    2041474