Paddy O'Rourke says he could no longer justify the huge commitment required for intercounty football when Meath had no "realistic chance of winning anything".

Having been part of the Meath set-up since 2009, the Skryne clubman announced his retirement in November and has no regrets over that decision:

"If we're honest in Meath, we're not getting any closer to where we want to go," the disillusioned former Royal County custodian told the AIB GAA blog. "Winning Leinster again or challenging for an All-Ireland doesn't look realistic any time soon, and in fact it feels like it farther away than ever. In my year on the panel, in 2009, we made it to an All-Ireland semi-final. A year later, albeit many Louth fans will still be sore over the circumstances, we lifted up the Delaney Cup, and made an All-Ireland quarter-final after it.

"From 2011 to now, the commitment levels have gone through the roof but we've had nothing to show for it. Our seasons have been over by early to mid-July. Last year we lost to Kildare, which suggests we're slipping in the province, while Dublin are well out in front, and then this new Super 8 won't help any team outside the elite.

"So I finally came to a decision: this is not worth it. Because when you think of the consequences of the incredible commitment levels required, you're losing so much of your life. Never mind the amount of evenings you're spending training and at the gym, it means you end up isolated from your family, your friends and your club. And for what?

"How can you justify training five or six nights per week for eight or nine months of the year, without a realistic chance of winning anything? I just can't do it any more."

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