Westmeath's Gary Connaughton has announced his inter-county retirement for a second time.

The 2008 All Star goalkeeper retired in 2013, only to return last season as player/selector. He was recently replaced by Emmett McDonnell as a selector (the former Offaly senior boss will also act as U21 manager) and has also brought the curtain down on his playing career, which included a famous Leinster SFC triumph in 2004.

The Tubberclair clubman will now be devoting his time to a new construction supplies company, which has been set up by his brother.

"It was a big part of my life, you just have to move on. Reality hits home when the time comes and the lads are all back training and gearing up for next year," he told the Irish Sun.

"I'm sitting at home watching soaps and Champions League matches, so it's a new ball game now for me. I was there 14 years, it's time to take a break from it and move on. The brother set up a new business and hopefully that takes shape.

"There were some good old days in the Westmeath jersey, but some bad ones as well. You always remember the good ones looking back, with the pictures in the house and all that. Time moves on, it's unfortunate."

Connaughton echoes Westmeath manager Tom Cribbin's sentiments that Dublin can be dethroned in Leinster.

"The big thing for Westmeath next year is to push on and look to win a Leinster title, that's what they have to aim for," he said.

"The Dubs have been one of the top three teams in the country for the last number of years now and there has to come a time in Leinster when someone puts it up to them.

"They have only lost one game in Leinster in the last 10 years or so and it's about time some of the other teams stood up - the likes of Westmeath, Kildare, Laois and Meath.

"There is no point saying that the Dubs are strong and they have the resources - it's sport at the end of the day. Dublin are All-Ireland champions now and they are there to be knocked off their perch."

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