By Peter Canavan "This magnificent player probably first came to our attention in the 1992 Ulster minor semi-final at Casement Park. He played centre half back on a classy Armagh team that really should have won that year's All-Ireland final. In the years since then, Diarmaid Marsden did serious damage to plenty of Tyrone teams but always with style and class, playing the game the way it should be. That's why we regard him so highly and that's why we'll miss him. From GAA followers everywhere: Diarmaid Marsden, class act ..Thank you!!" It would be fair to assume that the above quote is taken from the sports section of the Armagh Observer. Wrong, this piece is taken from the Redhand View - the official match programme for the recent Tyrone v Mayo NFL encounter in Omagh. Is the O'Neill County going soft? The fact that such a glowing tribute has come from one of Armagh's chief protagonists speaks volumes for the impact Diarmaid Marsden made during his career. The announcement of Marsden's retirement from the county scene surprised many including myself. Granted it was common knowledge that he was considering his future in the game since their shock defeat to Fermanagh last summer plus he decided to opt out of this year's NFL. Still, when the news came that he had finally made up his mind to retire I was startled for a number of reasons. In recent years he has been a central figure in the Armagh set up. As one of the leaders in the squad he was highly regarded by his team mates. They viewed him as a big game player - the higher the stakes, the better he played. When the side were faltering it was often Marsden who redeemed the situation. He was a perfect foil for Stevie McDonnell - his unselfish play often resulting in easy scores for McDonnell. Diarmaid is also close to Kieran McGeeney and Paul McGrane and with strong characters like those bending your ear I would have presumed a comeback to be inevitable. Another reason why I wasn't expecting this news was the Joe Kernan factor. Among his many qualities, Big Joe's persuasive powers are well documented. In 2002 Benny Tierney informed Kernan of his intentions to retire. Big Joe urged a rethink, Benny relented and we know the rest. It was Kernan initially that suggested to Marsden to make no rash decisions and wait until a number of games had been completed in the league. No one knows better than Kernan how crucial Marsden was when annexing the Sam Maguire in 2002 and considering Diarmaid is only 30 I fully expected Big Joe to be able to cajole the Clan na Gael man into giving it one last go. Speaking to Diarmaid recently I sensed that he had his mind made up long ago. The burning desire was not there and he wanted to be more involved with his club. Having been so devoted to the county cause his involvement with his club was limited and this played no small role in the fact that Clan na Gael were relegated last year. As well as playing Diarmaid had agreed to train the Lurgan side. With good friend and ex county colleague Barry O'Hagan as manager, the Clan's were hoping to have all guns blazing for 2005. Unfortunately his plans took a set back - within a week of announcing his retirement from intercounty football, Diarmaid broke his ankle playing a challenge game against Termon in Donegal. Typically he has remained upbeat - he will still be able to contribute with regard to coaching and he is hopeful of playing again during the summer. Undoubtedly, news of Marsdens retirement was greeted with great sighs of relief from many corner backs throughout the country. Having played alongside him with the Ulster Railway Cup side I could see at first hand how his pace and power complimented his immense talent. Another aspect of his game that was so strong was his defence - he tackled with great ferocity and had the ability to dispossess defenders. His work rate and strength in the tackle was as good if not better than many corner backs. As the star player for St Colmans when winning the McCrory and Hogan Cups, Marsden arrived on the county scene with a big reputation. This often resulted in him being the target for special treatment but regardless of the attention he received his performances never dipped. Like McGeeney his focus and appetite became sharper and stronger as he got older. His work rate and running off the ball not only showed a remarkable fitness level but also a willingness to play for the team and create space for others. This type of movement is not always captured by the TV cameras - whereby a full forward actually makes four or five runs before the ball is kicked in - in order to create space for themselves or a team-mate. Marsden and Mc Donnell were experts at doing this thus making it so difficult for defenders to cope with. There is one game in particular that stands out in Marsden's mind - for the wrong reasons - the 2003 All-Ireland final against Tyrone. A clash in the first half resulted in Marsden receiving a few stitches to the back of his head. The more controversial incident happened in the second half when following an altercation with Philip Jordan Marsden was sent off. Whilst showing no animosity towards Jordan he recalls the decision to send him off left him angry - not for himself but for the fact that he was not there when Armagh needed him most. Gracefully he suggests that it probably would not have made any difference and that Tyrone deserved to win, but this game will always leave him with a 'what if' scenario in the back of his mind. Marsden's decision to retire at the 'relatively' young age of 30 is yet further proof that intercounty football and hurling are fast becoming a young mans game. The demands placed on inter county players now are greater than ever before and the concept of lifestyle management is one that all inter county managers will have to deal with. A significant increase in expenses would certainly help alleviate some of the financial burden county players endure. During the season players may spend up to 20 hours a week away from home between travelling, training, physio and preparation for games. This level of commitment is necessary and if you have a serious chance of winning you will do anything to succeed. Years ago it was common place for most club teams to have their local priest lining out for them and doing his extra bit for the parish. Many of them even went on to great things with their county. Who knows but in a few years people may talk about the time that married men played for their county - we are fast becoming a dying breed! Maybe I am one of the privileged few - my wife chases me out the door to training every night! Recently ex Armagh goalie Benny Tierney suggested that after a few months staying in, watching Coronation Street and changing dirty nappies Diarmaid Marsden would only be to happy to get back to training. For once Benny got it wrong and I like many other gaels will wish Diarmaid well and hope that he is successful not only in changing nappies but changing the fortunes of Clan na Gael. Tweet

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