Greatest challenge for some comes after final whistle

It’s that time of year again when some of this country’s finest and fittest stare into the inky blackness of those dark winter nights and decide that one more spin on the GAA’s carousel is beyond them.

Paudie Kissane was the latest, bowing out this week 11 years after his debut with Cork and three since he won an All-Ireland medal and an All Star for his efforts.

Many more have laid down their tools since September but most have done so without much in the way of fanfare. It’s just not how we do these things here. Even Tomás Ó Sé, one of the association’s greatest ever ambassadors, went out quietly via a chat on Raidió na Gaeltachta with old comrade Dara Ó Cinnéide when he explained that, after 15 years and a smorgasbord of honours, enough was enough.