Down goalkeeper McVeigh retires

Long-serving Down senior goalkeeper Mickey McVeigh has announced his decision to retire from the inter-county scene after 12 years in the Mourne county squad.

The 36-year-old McVeigh made his debut for Down against Armagh in November 1995 and his last match in county colours was against Cavan in the 2007 Ulster championship in May.

An Ulster SFC winners' medal may have escaped him - he was part of three Ulster final losing teams in 1996, 1999 and 2003 - but McVeigh did win three Railway Cups with Ulster, captaining the side for their 2004 triumph in Paris.

He also gained international recognition as Ireland's goalkeeper for the 2005 International Rules series against Australia. McVeigh also won two Dr McKenna Cups with Down.

At club level, he helped Castlewellan to two Down championships in 1994 and 1995 and he has the distinction of being the only Castlewellan player to hold three All-Ireland Kilmacud Sevens medals for their victories in 1996, 2000 and 2006.

The 6ft 3in net minder is to continue to turn out for Castlewellan, while the McVeigh name will still be associated with the Down goalkeeping position in the coming seasons - the unrelated Brendan McVeigh, who keeps goal for An Riocht, has been a regular in the Down panel since his championship debut two years ago.