Former Cork star Derek Kavanagh has announced his retirement from all football, just six months after helping the Rebels to All-Ireland glory.

Kavanagh, who served Cork as a full back and midfielder for the best part of a decade, was a second half substitute in last September's All-Ireland final win over Cork.

That was to be his final appearance in the famous red jersey, with the Nemo Rangers man announcing his retirement from inter-county action in the wake of the game.

And the 30-year-old, who played for Nemo in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final against St Brigid's of Roscommon last month, has now called time on all involvement in football on medical advice.

He told Cork's Evening Echo newspaper, "I spoke to the doctor and the surgeon and they've completely advised against playing on.

"When we were preparing for [the St Brigid's] game I was really struggling to get through a week of training. I was constantly trying to balance staying fit with giving the hip a break and I was falling way behind as a result.

"Initially when I decided that 2010 would be my last year with Cork, I thought it might be possible to play on for another two or three seasons with Nemo.

"But the winter training just gone was a real struggle and it proved to me that it's all or nothing. Training in October and November was absolute hell. I was trying to get by week-to-week. I couldn't go through another year of that."

A member of the famous Nemo clan, Kavanagh won four Munster senior titles and eight Cork county championships in addition to last year's All-Ireland accolade. Tweet

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