Kerr disappointed at Sadlier’s enforced retirement

IRELAND’S management team yesterday expressed disappointment at the enforced retirement of 24-year-old centre-forward Richard Sadlier

The Dublin-born striker was forced out of the game by a succession of serious injuries that affected his hip, making it impossible for him to play on a regular basis.

He was capped once for Ireland’s senior team, against Russia in 2002, and was a regular member of Ireland’s under-age teams under Brian Kerr.

Kerr said: “This is very disappointing news. He is a bright, intelligent lad who performed very well for Ireland at under-age level and did not have the opportunity to fulfil his potential.

“He is a tall and agile athlete who had a great knack for scoring goals and he would have developed into a contender for a regular place in the senior team were it not for the injuries “I hope that in time he will find a way back into the game in some capacity but whatever career he follows I am sure he will make a success of it.”

Sadlier was a product of the Belvedere Boys nursery in Dublin and made his first appearance for Millwall on February 1, 1999. He postponed his move to England until he had completed his leaving certificate examination and made 165 appearances for Millwall, scoring 41 goals.

Ireland’s assistant manager, Chris Hughton, said: “This is very disappointing news. It is sad to hear of any young man being forced out of the game and he was such a good player as well. He was strong and mobile and would have developed into a good international player in time.”