Armagh's McGeeney announces retirement

Armagh's 2002 All-Ireland winning captain Kieran McGeeney has announced his retirement from inter-county football in the wake of Joe Kernan's decision to step down as manager of the Orchard county.

Mullaghbawn native McGeeney captained Armagh to their first and only All-Ireland SFC win to date in 2002, and has informed his former inter-county colleagues of his decision to end his Armagh playing career.

A three-time All-Star award winner in the centre-back role, 'Geezer' has been on the Armagh panel for more than 15 years and also received the Footballer of the Year award in 2002.

He is turning 36 next month.

McGeeney's first Ulster senior championship success came in 1999 and he added five more provincial gongs, while he also captained the Irish International Rules team last year and took county championship honours playing for his native Mullaghbawn and north Dublin side Na Fianna.

The centre-back was a firm leader to his team-mates for a number of years but his departure from the Orchard county set-up now heralds a new era with Peter McDonnell also recently appointed as the county's new manager.

The decision by McGeeney to hang up his boots may prompt other senior players such as Oisin McConville, Enda McNulty and Paul McGrane to opt out but McDonnell stated last week that he sees a firm future for the experienced players in the squad, should they wish to stay on.