Brady bows out on losing note

David Brady has confirmed his retirement from inter-county football, in the wake of Mayo's All-Ireland SFC final hammering at the hands of Kerry.

The veteran midfielder, who came off the bench to replace James Nallen in the Mayo defence yesterday, was coaxed back into the panel in January after meeting with new managerial duo Mickey Moran and John Morrison.

He had departed the scene after the 2004 All-Ireland final loss to Kerry but his form in helping Ballina Stephenites to an All-Ireland Club title last year was enough to secure a return to the top level - and his fourth appearance in an All-Ireland SFC decider.

The former rugby player had an injury disrupted 2006, with a broken metatarsal and a fractured cheekbone curtailing his involvement, but came to the fore as a substitute in Mayo's 1-16 to 2-12 semi-final win over Dublin last month.

Brady, who was part of the Mayo side which lost the '96 All-Ireland final to Meath after a replay, was in a philosophical mood after yesterday's collapse.

"Conor and Trevor Mortimer lost a grandfather there two weeks ago. We lost a game of football - we will get over it. It's not a matter of life and death. Maybe it should be for us. For me, it's not," the 32-year-old insisted.

Yesterday's tie could also have marked the last outings for both Nallen and Kevin O'Neill, who bagged two of Mayo's goals, in the county jersey, but Brady was unsure as to his team-mates' plans.

"I can't answer for them. I certainly can't. No, I’m 11 years trying. I have tried. I will always go back to 1996 and the ball hopping over the bar (for Meath's levelling point).

"I see guys in there crying, but that (1996 defeat) was hard. Maybe for them it's a 13-point beating, but for me it's not hard. You know, we came, we tried and it didn't work. That's it. I just didn't get the senior medal."

Ger Brady, David's younger brother and Mayo's centre-forward, summed up the mood of the Connacht champions.

"Everyone's gutted - we really thought this was our year. There was utter devastation in the dressing room. Mickey just said to be proud of what we achieved this year," said the 26-year-old.

"It's a bittersweet feeling. We achieved a lot this year but at the end of the day, we didn't get to where we wanted to and we just have to regroup again for next year. We have to keep the faith."