IT WAS entirely fitting that Eamon McGee announced his retirement in a cryptic message taken from one of his favourite books - Lord of the Rings.
In an era of cloned, boring clichéd soundbites, McGee’s interviews were always peppered with little nuggets, colourful anecdotes and a natural talent for wry self-deprecation, that was quite compelling. McGee is also a man who has tasted life through the teeth, battled a few demons and came out the other side with his sunny spirit intact.
But his decision to say slán was not prompted by Sunday’s defeat to Dublin after 154 appearances in the Donegal jersey: “I had made my mind up about two months ago that this was going to be my last year. I sat down with my partner Joanne and we discussed it and although it was not an easy decision, it was the right one,” he said.
“I am happy enough to go out now as I know that I am no longer good enough and Sean Cavanagh really got the better of me in the Ulster final: “But I was happy enough with the way I played against Dublin and I thought the whole team put in a really great effort.”
Mercurial McGee made his debut under Brian McEniff when he came on as a substitute against Fermanagh in 2003 in a Dr McKenna Cup match. Seven years down the line, when Jim McGuinness took the reins in late 2010, McGee was not instantly impressed with the man from Glenties - but gradually came around with Donegal soon teetering on the edge of greatness.
“Jim McGuinness gave me great confidence and belief in myself to start all over again and 2012 was a really special year as we won the All-Ireland,” he said.
“There is no one highlight as 2012 was really a great year. But the main emotion at the end of the All-Ireland final that year was one of sheer relief.”
But although he may be quitting the county scene, McGee is determined to put something back into his native Gaoth Dobhair: “My club has suffered just like so many other clubs because I was a county player for so many years,” he said.
“And even though I have won a county medal with Gaoth Dobhair, I would dearly love to help them win another one. There are a lot of young lads coming in to the squad and it is an exciting time for the club’.
So has he any regrets: “Only that I did not apply myself more when I was younger, but I will not be lying awake at night worrying,” he said.
