League of Ireland veteran Cahill retires to focus on PFAI role

ONE of the League of Ireland’s most familiar faces has decided to hang up his boots.

After 488 appearances and 50 goals, Ollie Cahill has announced his retirement from playing, although he will continue to be involved in the domestic game as Delegate Liaison Officer with the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland. Beginning his career in England with Northampton, Cahill, 36, returned to Ireland to play with Cork City, Shelbourne, Drogheda, Shamrock Rovers, Sporting Fingal and Bohemians.

He won titles with Shelbourne (three times), Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers. He has also won every cup competition, including the FAI Cup and League Cup with Cork and the Setanta Cup with Drogheda.

Cahill said: “Although I feel I still have something to offer, I’ve reached a stage in my life where there are other priorities. My wife and I have recently had our first child and spending more time with them has to come first.

“The wages in the league now are so low that it would be difficult to justify playing when I could be at home. Also, I have been lucky enough to have been working with the PFAI for the last three years and want to concentrate on my job there.” PFAI general secretary Stephen McGuinness said: “While we will miss Ollie patrolling the left wing on Friday nights, it’s fantastic for us to have a player of his stature concentrating full-time on the PFAI. He has first-hand knowledge of some the problems this league has endured over the years so this experience will stand him in good stead.”