Rossies blow as Cox to end inter-county career

ROSCOMMON have been dealt a huge blow with last year’s captain Gary Cox announcing his retirement from inter-county football because of ongoing injury problems.

The experienced attacker has been plagued by an ankle injury and has decided to walk away from the top flight.

The 30-year old hopes to continue playing for his club, St Faithleach’s – his brother Ray is the manager – but his loss is a further blow to a county side who have started the league badly, going down at home to Cavan by double scores and losing at Fermanagh.

He revealed: “I have had an ongoing injury problem for a few years, but the wear and tear in the ankle joint has taken its toll. I struggled with the injury during the winter and I agreed with the specialist to give it another shot and see how I fared out.

“But it was only getting worse and I had to make a call if I wanted to be active in my future and not be a cripple,” said the schoolteacher.

Roscommon, who travel to play Offaly in an NFL Division 3 clash on Sunday, will open their championship campaign in London on May 30, with the winners playing Leitrim in the Connacht semi-final in Carrick-on-Shannon on June 20.

“I am disappointed. I had fully intended on going back for another year at least. We had a good year last year and we have some lovely young footballers coming through so it is a shame,” Cox admitted.

“I will probably try and play with the club for the year and see how that goes,” he added.