Mayo defender Donie Vaughan has announced his retirement from inter-county football at 32.

Vaughan became a key player with the Westerners after making his breakthrough in 2009 and would go on to win five Connacht SFC titles as well as National League in the green and red.

This year saw the Castlebar Mitchel’s clubman hit with injury and he failed to make James Horan’s match day squad for last month’s All-Ireland final against Dublin, which marked a fifth decider for Mayo in nine years.

In a statement released to the Irish Examiner, Vaughan said that he had taken the decision to call it a day with “a heavy heart”.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have come to the decision that the time is now right to hang up my boots,” he wrote.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the army of Mayo fans for all of their support over the years, especially to those who took the time to send me cards, letters and messages.

“I would like to thank all of my current and previous management teams, medical, county board officers and support teams who have helped me over the years. I would also like to thank all of the people who helped to develop me as a footballer from an early age.

“To my fellow teammates who I have soldiered with over the last twelve years: it has been an honour and a privilege to wear the green and red alongside you with pride. You are men of outstanding character and relentless drive."

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