ASTON VILLA GOALKEEPER Shay Given has announced his retirement from international football this evening.
The goalkeeper, who earned 125 caps for Ireland, had been widely criticised for his recent performances at Euro 2012, with many believing he wasn’t fully fit.
And the FAI confirmed the goalkeeper’s decision this evening with a statement, which read:
The Football Association of Ireland today (Monday) confirmed that Shay Given will retire from international football with the Republic of Ireland. The 36 year old goalkeeper spoke to Giovanni Trapattoni to inform him of his decision.Giovanni Trapattoni praised Shay for his outstanding contributions to Ireland during his 16 year international [sic] and for all that he had done under his own time as manager during a lengthy conversation this afternoon.
Speaking today Shay said, ‘This has been an extremely difficult decision for me to make. I have dedicated 16 years of my life to my country, and I have a great affinity with Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad. I’d like to thank the Giovanni, Marco and Alan Kelly for their support during my time with the team. I will continue to be Ireland’s biggest fan, and wish the lads well as they embark upon their new campaign.’
Given also continued to show his support and dedication to the squad by saying that should there be an emergency, he would happily return to assist with goalkeeping duties.
Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli have said that they are extremely grateful that Given has said that he would make himself available should they need him.
Trapattoni said, ‘I understand the difficult decision that Shay had to make, and appreciate all of his efforts during his international career. He is a strong player, with a great character and his love of playing for his country always shone through. It has been a pleasure to work with him during my time with the team. I wish him the very best in his future. ’
Given holds 125 caps for his country making him the highest capped Irish player in history.
In addition, Given added, via Twitter:
“After a lot of thought and consideration, I have made the most difficult decision to retire from international football.
“It’s been a great honour and privilege to play and on occasion captain the team. I shall remain a huge fan of the team as I have been all my life and I wish them every success for the future.
“I wish to thank all the players,managers,staff & most importantly the most wonderful fans in the world
“Finally I would like to thank my wife Jane,my 2 amazing kids and my entire family for their unwavering support over the 16 years & 125 caps.”
Meanwhile, the Irish squad have suffered a further setback to their preparations for the upcoming friendly with Serbia on Wednesday, with news that Stephen Ward and Keith Treacy have had to withdraw through injury, while goalkeeper David Forde is also a doubt.
The squad have already been hit by several withdrawals, coupled with the absence of a number of high-profile players, including Robbie Keane.
Shay you were a legend!!
Wise move Shay Traps goose is cooked this team is going nowhere until him and Delaney are gone!
Are a legend !!!!!!!!!!!
One of Ireland greatest players! Its going to be weird watching Ireland matches and not seeing him there :( Gonna miss him
Thank you for the memories, you have been the greatest goalkeeper to ever represent this country and it has been our honor.
don’t forget packie he was a legend too.
Packie was rubbish. Never played for a decent club side. People have rose tinted memories.
OMG. The best of luck for the future. Many thanks for the great service to the cause
The one player you did NOT want to retire. Typical. Shay could play top level until he is 40.
So long Superkeeper. Thanks for the many awesome years of loyal service. He is irreplaceable.
Best Irish goalkeeper bar none.
best of luck shay. you’ve been a great servant to the international setup and role model to kids all over the country.
Bugger
One guy you’ll never hear a bad word said about. Met him once at dublin airport hes a very nice guy and was possibly our greatest ever keeper!
A truly remarkable keeper. Really loyal and you could sense his pride in wearing the green shirt.
Sad that the euro’s will be remembered as the time Shay last played for Ireland. A great servant for Ireland…..will be missed. Thanks for all the years Shay.
class act
Shay had big gloves to fill after Pakie’s departure, but now he has left even bigger gloves to fill!!
Thanks for all the saves and heart stopping moments Shay!!!
Legend and gentleman……world class keeper….thanks for the memories COYBIG
Shay has been a great servant to Irish football
True hero ,, always played with pride in the green shirt ,, a inspiration to the up and coming young players
Sad to see Shay Given retire from international football. Think it might be a bit of a mistake tbh as he wasn’t getting much look in club football and international kept him fit and in contention! Either way, great keeper and will be a huge loss to the Republic.
Thanks for the memories and the loyalty that you gave to Irish soccer. A true legend of d game. All the d best too you and your family for the future.
I was only 11 when he debuted! The next in line has big shoes to fill.
It’s a sad day for Irish football. Going to be very difficult to replace
My youngest, the goalkeeper of the family, is devastated (and so am I to be honest).
Best of luck, Shay. Thanks for all those golden memories! We’ll surely treasure them.
amazing no red thumbs yet. all the trolls must be in bed
Legend. Have a good retirement Shay
I am very upset that he has retired but thank you Shay for everything. Been one of the best goalkeeper in the world down the years and a fantastic servant for Ireland. Best of luck in the future
Sad day for Irish football, well done Shea you keep guard for the last 16 years when Packie went and he had big boots to fill then and you took it in your stride . Yes it is time for some to retire for the international team but personally I didn’t think your time was up. Will be sorely missed but best of luck.
Thanks for the service Shay. Please convince Robbie Keane to retire now as well.
Cheers Shay. Thanks for everything. Best Goal keeper Ireland has ever Had.
An Irish legend. We’ve been blessed with great goalkeepers in packie and shay. Very tough to follow him. We don’t really have a top class keeper to replace him. Thanks shay and best of luck!!
For his country, Shay has given all he’s got.
It’s a pity he didn’t retire before euros .. He was poor.
A big loss.
I thought he had at least one more campaign in him… He saved us from defeat so many times. Our last line of defence that we could always rely on… He is going to be difficult to replace. Big step up for Westwood now in a tough world cup group…. Thanks for all the hard work Shay. Legend…
The only issue now is the first choice keeper is not a first choice at his club. I think Westwood is a terrific keeper. I just hope he gets game time this season. Anyway, that’s for another day, all the best Shay, you deserve all the praise that comes your way.
If the manager wont rebuild the team, the team will rebuild itself. Given made the right decision, now time for the rest of them…
Agree, force the rebuild. This friendly on Weds is a joke. No one wants to play (also start of club football). We have no time to rebuild for the World Cup, so let’s write off these qualifiers and rebuild.
Well Trap?
More fool me for renewing my 4 seasons tickets for the Aviva.
About bloody time was useless in Poland
get a life
Thanks Shay, our greatest ever keeper by some distance, legend
In fairness he is 36. hes hardly a scholes or berbatov!. its always nice to have a little dig at united :) :) :)
No worries poundhead but he’s been very consistent in the PL over the last 10 years or so, still think he could have seen the next campaign out , even at 36
Thanks Shay and good luck in the future. I had the pleasure of meeting Packie Bonner once, a very nice man I have to say! Well I tell a white I was in a hotel in Donegal about 20 years ago having breakfast and Packie walked by my table but I did meet Daniel O’Donnells mother the same weekend and she spoke to me! She spoke to ME! Beat that somebody.
Time for Westwood to step up but we don’t get great goal keepers one every 15 years it seems we will wait a while for another like shay
About time too…wish he wood take a few others with him.
My favorite Shay moment was the header he scored against Croatia in the euros and his 2 assists against Spain. Will be a big loss though
Typical rovers knacker.
@peter Doyle I can’t imagine how you got such a lovely shiner for yourself.. #mouthpiece. Bonner and given were fantastic goalkeepers for Ireland, both absolute gentlemen and ferociously proud to represent Ireland. A couple of mistakes doesn’t change anything.
A great servant of Ireland. Legend
Pretty sure he had already retired well before the euros.
Fair enough he was poor at the euros but he is stills an excellent keeper. Definitely has one more campaign in him. Hopefully we see him in an Irish shirt again. Sad day. What a legend still making himself available if we are stuck.
A very good keeper but retirements like this is the only way this team will be rebuilt.This could be the last group of players who played above themselves when they wore a green shirt(Euros excluded).money and a pop star life style has made International football for most players an inconvienance (Spain excluded )of course.