Injury forces Church of Ireland netminder Ruddle to retire

A TROUBLESOME hip injury has forced Cork Church of Ireland and Ireland goalkeeper Mark Ruddle to prematurely retire from the game.

The 24-times capped netminder has been beset with hip problems in recent seasons, and has rarely featured for his beloved Garryduff club or in the green jersey.

Ruddle yesterday spoke of his “difficult decision” to quit the playing side of the game, though he should become a useful addition to the country’s goalkeeping coaches should he decide to go down that route.