Kerry's All-Star goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy has announced his inter-county retirement at the age of 34. Citing an ongoing back problem as part of his reason for bowing out, the four-time All-Ireland winner admitted that he had more or less made up his mind that last season was going to be his last in the green and gold. He told the Irish Examiner: "I had pretty much decided from early on this year that it was going to be my last. You have to look at how much the body can take. I had a bad season the year before (2008), my worst with Kerry, but after a couple of very positive chats with Jack O'Connor that winter, I decided to give it one more season." Kerry boss O'Connor admitted that the big Dingle man would be difficult to replace. "Ultimately he was one of the key reasons we won the All-Ireland, making decisive interventions in big matches. He had to wait his turn (until 2004) but has been a rock since. Given the new rules regarding the square ball, his presence and safe hands under the high ball will also be missed more than most people realise." Having been understudy to Declan O'Keeffe for a number of years, Murphy made the number one jersey his own in 2004 when he won his first All-Ireland medal. He won further All-Irelands in 2006, 2007 and last year, and was honoured with three All-Stars. He also tasted National League and All-Ireland under 21 success during an illustrious career. Ironically, last year was Murphy's best ever in the Kerry jersey when he made several vital saves, none more so than that from David Kelly's penalty which denied Sligo a famous All-Ireland qualifier victory in Tralee. That crucial stop was arguably the turning point in Kerry's season as they never looked back en route to their 36th All-Ireland win. He continued: "The age thing isn't a factor for me because I didn't make my championship debut until I was 28. After 2008 when things didn't go well, you have that extra motivation to come back stronger the following season - and that has nothing to do with age. "I went out there last season knowing that every game could be my last, and that allows you to play with a certain level of freedom that I enjoyed." On his injury woes, Murphy explained: "I've had this nagging back strain for a couple of seasons now that is getting progressively worse. It kicks in around June every season, and though the medical team with Kerry have handled it brilliantly, you're also looking at medication to control it - and that brings its own problems." Tweet

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