Injury forces Homan to quit

A back injury has forced Dublin midfielder Darren Homan to end his footballing career prematurely.

The capital-based fireman suffered a back spasm when clashing accidentally with team mate Ciaran Whelan in training last month. Doctors have warned Homan, following an MRI scan, that continued involvement in contact sports could be a risk to his overall health.

The 30-year-old will be "hanging up his boots" from both club (Round Towers Clondalkin) and inter-county football.

It's an immediate blow for Towers who face Na Fianna in a Dublin championship quarter-final next Tuesday.

Homan, whose last appearance for the Dubs came as a substitute in last month's drawn quarter-final game with Tyrone, won Leinster SFC medals in both 2002 and again this year.