Mayo goalkeeper David Clarke has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

The 37-year-old gave 20 years of service to his county, making 133 appearances in total for the Mayo senior team with 56 of those coming in the championship.

His endeavours on the field over the past two decades earned him eight Connacht senior football championship titles and two National League crowns, as well as two All Star awards.

Clarke also enjoyed sweet national success in 2005 when he helped his club Ballina Stephenites to victory against Portlaoise in the All-Ireland club SFC final at Croke Park.

His retirement comes a day after Mayo team mate Donie Vaughan called time on his inter-county career and Clarke released the following statement via mayogaa.com to confirm his decision:

“Today I have decided it is the right time for me to step away from Mayo Senior Football team. I have lived my dream and taken so much from the experience. I want to thank all of my past managers, coaches, medical staff and county board officials, from when I was U16, minor, U21 and senior. I’d like to give a special mention to my goalkeeper coaches Eugene Lavin, Peter Burke and Tom Higgins who helped bring out the best in me. 

“I’m grateful to my club, Ballina Stephenites, their coaches and my school teachers who helped me develop as a player and to love the game. I am grateful to my work colleagues in An Garda Siochana, your support and flexibility ensured I was able to compete at the highest level. 

“Special thanks to my parents, Frank and Gertie and my sister, Sarah, who always supported and encouraged me. To my wife, Paula and daughters, Sadie and Lucy thanks for your understanding and support while I lived my dream. To the Mayo supporters, thank you for the support, it does make a difference. 

“Finally, to all the players I have played with, it was an honour to wear the jersey with you. I now look forward to giving more time to my club and returning to being a Mayo fan again.”

David Clarke has today confirmed his retirement after 20 years service with Mayo. Everyone within Mayo GAA thanks David for all his efforts and wishes him all the best in the future.https://t.co/DFgETdkrLf #mayogaa pic.twitter.com/NQsCLcTa0E

— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) January 4, 2021

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