Tributes pour in as Limerick stalwart John Galvin retires

John Galvin has announces his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 34, after 15 years playing in the Limerick jersey.

Best wishes to John Galvin in his retirement from inter-county action- a colossus of the game has left the stage #GAA pic.twitter.com/pXq82Xlb21

— GPA (@gaelicplayers) January 8, 2015

The former Croom club man made his debut against Cork in 1999 and won two Allianz Football League Division IV titles during his career.

Galvin captained Limerick to a Munster U21 title in 2001, but despite playing in five Munster finals he never won the senior provincial title.

#GaaRetirement #GAA
John Galvin has retired from Limerick,a shame he doesn't have a munster medal in the arse pocket pic.twitter.com/WdFcy79CKQ

— UnOfficialGaa (@UnOfficialGaa) January 8, 2015

The player told the Limerick Post it had been a difficult decision to make, but it was the right time for him to leave.

“The time is right for me now I think,” Galvin said. “This has not been an easy decision, but I know that I have made the right call to move on.”

“The demands on time and more importantly, a person’s body are huge these days for inter-county players. I know I could have given it one more year, but I feel it is best for me and for Limerick that I move on.

He continued: “I have always been the kind of player who commits to something 100 per cent, so once I knew I could not give that to Limerick anymore, the decision was made for me.”

Galvin never won an All-Star despite being nominated three times in 2004, 2009 and 2010.

How John Galvin never won an All Star is beyond me.. Wait for all the "experts" now to tell us how great he was yet they wouldn't select him

— Liam Aherne (@laherne84) January 8, 2015

Tributes have been pouring in for the player regarded by many as Limerick’s best ever footballer.

Salute to John Galvin What a player Supreme warrior A heroic figure from a super generation of Lk footballers that shud never be forgotten

— Christy O'Connor (@chrisocfl) January 8, 2015

He wore the Limerick No 9 with distinction, determination & pride for 15 years. Thank you for EVERYTHING John Galvin enjoy ur retirement

— Limerick Footballers (@LmkFootballers) January 8, 2015

Galvin now lives in Clare and plays club football with Cratloe. He won the Clare Senior Football Championship with the club in 2014 and says he will continue to play with them at club level.