McDonnell confirms his inter-county retirement

Armagh sharpshooter Steven McDonnell used his Twitter page to announce his decision to retire from senior inter-county football tonight.

"After 13 years of playing county football with Armagh I have decided that the time is right for me to retire at this level and move on," he stated.

"I want to thank all the managers and players that I played alongside. I made some great friendships along the way.

"I also want to thank all the supporters from Armagh that supported throughout and also supporters from all over Ireland that respected what Armagh achieved in this time."

McDonnell will bow out as one of the greatest corner forwards of the modern era, famed for his accurate shooting, superb link-up play and excellent leadership skills.

The Killeavy clubman was a leading member of the Armagh team that secured the county's first ever All-Ireland SFC title back in 2002.

An Armagh debutant back in 1999, he won an Ulster SFC medal in his first season on the senior stage and went on to win six more Anglo Celt Cups.

The 32-year-old ends his career as one of the Ulster Championship's top scorers and a three-time All-Star award winner.

McDonnell has captained the Orchard men in recent seasons, and was arguably Ireland's best player over the last few years of the International Rules Series.

He was the Irish captain for the 2010 Series defeat to Australia and his classy finishing and strength on the ball saw him star during last year's encounters Down Under.

McDonnell top scored with 18 points in the first Test win over the Australians in Melbourne, and followed up with nine in the second Test as he helped Ireland to a resounding Series triumph.

He sat out the recent Allianz Football League campaign having suggested late last year that he might have played his last game for his county.

McDonnell, who has been troubled by a groin injury of late, lined out for the final time in Armagh colours in last July's All-Ireland SFC qualifier defeat to Tyrone.

Although the Ulster derby ended in a 2-13 to 0-13 defeat for Paddy O'Rourke's side, McDonnell still led from the front with an eight-point haul.