MARK Poland has announced his retirement from inter-county football with the Down senior side, after 13 seasons in the red and black writes Sean O’Neill.
The Longstone man revealed his decision via social media, saying: “Thanks to all who helped me on my journey. Wearing the red and black was an honour #overandout # andúnabú”.
Poland was an instrumental member of the Down team which reached the All-Ireland senior football final in 2010, when managed by James McCartan. That resulted in an agonising one-point loss to Cork.
That year was undoubtedly the highlight of the 32-year-old’s time with the Mourne county, with fortunes taking a dip over the course of recent seasons.
There had been speculation that Poland would not be back for the season just gone, as, under Eamonn Burns, the side appeared to be in freefall – at one point going 14 League and Championship games without a win.
Down fans were pleased though that the popular forward committed for another year.
And, although his appearances for the county were limited to being sprung from the substitutes’ bench, he played his part in helping Down reach the Ulster final for the first time since 2012, where they fell to an eight-point loss to Tyrone.
