Forde retires and adds to Wexford woes

JASON RYAN regretfully shut the door on hopes of a Matty Forde retirement u-turn after witnessing Wexford’s second massive defeat in a week.

Former All Star forward Forde, 31, confirmed his retirement just hours before Wexford’s 17 point O’Byrne Shield quarter-final defeat to Dublin (6-10 to 1-8) at Parnell Park.

A total of six different players — Kevin McManamon, Dean Kelly, Graham Cullen, Padraig Lee, Bernard Brogan and Eoghan O’Gara — hit the net to confirm a semi-final spot against Offaly next weekend.

Ryan poured cold water on the suggestion that Forde, who will continue to play club football with Kilanerin, could be persuaded to come back on board later in the year.

Ryan said: “The way things are working now in inter-county football, fitness levels and conditioning are developing so fast and so much that if players miss anything and fall behind, it’s very hard to make it up, really hard.

“So if someone’s going to be playing inter-county football you’d need them there as early as possible in the year.”

Dublin boss Pat Gilroy revealed that last year’s captain, David Henry, and France based student Rory O’Carroll will both rejoin the panel in April though Kilmacud Crokes forward Niall Corkery is working in London and will miss the entire season.

The Shield competition, typically a low key pre-season event, has real significance this season as Leinster title contenders Meath, Dublin and Laois are all through to the semi-finals. Dublin face Offaly in next weekend’s semi-final after the Faithful County’s 1-9 to 1-8 win over Longford and, potentially, could meet great rivals Meath in the final. Meath face Laois in the second semi-final Sunday after beating Kilkenny 0-13 to 1-3 on Saturday. Laois booked their semi-final spot by overcoming Athlone IT 1-11 to 0-12 after extra-time yesterday.