Football

TYRONE ACE McGINLEY HANGS UP HIS BOOTS

FORMER Tyrone star Enda McGinley has been forced to retire from football because of injury. The Errigal Ciaran clubman suffered a neck injury in a club game last month and has hung up his boots following complications with the injury.

The 32-year-old physiotherapist sought medical advice after suffering arm weakness in the days after the incident.

McGinley sustained a serious neck injury during the 2003 All-Ireland final victory over Armagh and consultants suspected that the injuries, 10 years apart, are related.

McGinley admits he is finding it difficult to adjust to life away from Gaelic football.

"I spoke to various consultants and the view was very unanimous - that the only sensible course of action was to step away," he said.

"Unfortunately, I had to inform my clubmates of that and just start to deal with it myself after that.

"Whenever the weakness came into the arm, that really made everything black and white.

"You still find it difficult because it has been a way of life for so long. You still feel as if you're leaving your club team in the lurch. All of those emotions come into play.

"To have to walk away when it is really not your choice is difficult.

"Especially having played alongside my brother Cormac for so long for so many years, it will be very difficult."

McGinley's retirement will come as a major blow to Errigal's chances of retaining the O'Neill Cup. Ronan McGuckan's side face last year's beaten finalists Dromore in a mouthwatering first round tie.

Having retired from inter-county duty at the end of the 2011 campaign, McGinley is thankful to have captained Errigal to the Tyrone SFC title in what turned out to be his last full season with the Dunmoyle men.

"In hindsight, I am just so glad that I decided to step back from Tyrone and got a full year with my club. I thoroughly enjoyed it," said the 2008 Allstar.

"For me to end up as captain and to end up with the title will be the highlight and the proudest moment of my career. It is something I will always treasure.

"I suppose you would love to be involved in trying to defend that title. Now, after what has happened last year is even more important. I thought I would have another couple of years in me.

"Everybody has been saying 'you've had a good innings, you've won plenty, you've done your bit' and all that. But for some reason it just doesn't feel like that.

"I suppose, if you speak to anyone in their 30s, they still feel like they are in their 20s. You still see yourself as a young fella."

As well as All-Ireland titles at minor, U21 and senior level, McGinley has won an Ulster club title with Errigal and four Tyrone championships and has also represented Ireland in an

International Rules series. While the midfielder modestly claims he was

"lucky" to have been involved in so many great teams, one piece of silverware is missing from McGinley's collection - an All-Ireland club title.

The 2003 All-Ireland club semi-final defeat to Cork kingpins Nemo Rangers is the one that got away.

"That was easily the worst defeat of my career and I will never forget that. It was just horrible," he said.

"We just didn't play to our potential on the day and Nemo went on and easily won the All-Ireland title.

"I suppose, because it is the one you don't have, certainly for me, it is the most special of all.

"I would give anything if Errigal ever got back to that stage, it is about the one thing I would come out of retirement for!

"The All-Ireland club is so unique.

"Apart from Crossmaglen, it is a unique and exceptionally rare honour and unfortunately we didn't get it although we probably had the potential to win it."

He added: "I have always known that I have been exceptionally lucky. I was born into a footballing house and a strong footballing club.

"I was lucky to be part of a very special Tyrone underage team which came up through the ranks and won all before it.

"I was very lucky to be involved with those teams and involved with a heck of a lot of great managers."

While the affable McGinley ponders his immediate future, which could involve coaching and punditry roles, Errigal Ciaran are left to ponder life without one of their finest ever players.