COMEDIAN Conor Grimes says "now might be time for Datsun Donaghy to hang up his boots" after it was revealed that Nissan is to end production of the Datsun brand.
Named after the famed budget car, the fictitious character was created by the Donaghmore actor as the Tyrone senior footballers bid for All-Ireland glory in 2003.
He became a popular and much-loved character that re-appeared when the Red Hand county vied for subsequent footballing success.
But after it emerged that production of Datsun brand vehicles is to cease, Grimes says it might be time for his Tyrone character to retire also.
Mr Grimes recalled how Datsun Donaghy was first created for a comedy sketch to mark the Tyrone GAA team reaching the All-Ireland quarter finals as he made his way to the game at Croke Park.
"I had one of those silly umbrella hats that my uncle had brought over from America in 1993 in the car and thought I need a name, I couldn't think of one and Datsun was the first thing came into my head," he said.
"I put it with Donaghy and it just stuck, there was really no thought put into it."
He said despite it being "a bit of craic as the Tyrone ones love the humour", news that Datsun cars would no longer be in production could call time for the character.
"There's no real plan, but now might be time for Datsun Donaghy to hang up his boots as well," he said.
