SEVEN-TIME ALL-Ireland winner Paddy Andrews has announced his inter-county retirement.
The St Brigid’s forward calls time on his career after 12 years of service with Dublin, winning 11 Leinster titles along with his All-Ireland medals.
He becomes the latest inter-county player to step away following a raft of recent retirements.
The 32-year-old was previously dropped from the Dublin squad before the 2011 All-Ireland final, but later made a return where he carved out a regular place in the starting team.
However, he was given less game time in recent seasons and was not named on the bench for the 2020 All-Ireland final against Mayo last month.
“After 12 years, it’s time for me to finish up with the Dublin team,” a statement reads on his Twitter account.
“To Pillar, Pat, Jim and Dessie, and their coaches, I’d like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to represent the Dublin team and experience so many special moments.
“I’d also like to thank my club St Brigid’s for their support and all the coaches and members down in Russell Park.
“To my family, friends and in particular my parents Pat and Angela and my fiancée Doireann, I owe a huge debt for their constant belief in me through so many highs and lows.
Thank you for the memories @DubGAAOfficial a privilege to be part of such a special group over the years but it’s time to move on. All the best to the lads going forward, I’m sure they’ll manage without me! 💙🐺 pic.twitter.com/Nel0PbOJiQ
— Paddy Andrews (@PaddyAMetis) January 14, 2021
“A special thanks to our phenomenal supporters for their unwavering belief and encouragement over so many years, good and bad.
“Finally, to my teammates, it was the highest privilege to share the journey with you all. All the best for the road ahead.”
- Originally published at 10.11
He must really not like his brother.
Think it’s just good retirement planning by the parents. He signs his brother to take over the carers role.
A head scratcher if ever there was one.
Hate to slate a loyal servant but, it makes sense he allowed John afoa to go to Gloucester then.
Does make you wonder!
Not at all, that was a done deal long ago and Gloucester on sacked their present director last week.
NO ONE saw this coming, a real shocker!
Wow, I did not see that one coming! He was Mr Ulster, and I wouldn’t imagine he was anywhere near completing his objectives he had outlined with Ulster. Still, we should be able to attract a top class director. Conor O’Shea?
Big of a shock especially after the transformation that has happened up in Ulster the last few years…maybe he felt he couldn’t take them on any further?
Head coach
Mark Mc Call?
Not so strange. Frustration at the lack of success. By moving to Gloucester is he saying this is as far as I can take Ulster at this time? Is he saying that the powers that be do not share his ambition? What does Gloucester offer that he cannot achieve with Ulster? Shane Logan’s comments are curious, particularly regarding development as Ulster has a single representative in U20 in the junior world cup and a senior squad that can beat the best in Europe but has no trophies. Has the wrong man left Ulster?
That’s a strange one didn’t see that coming,are you any relation to charlize theron?
Hope it’s not a sign of things to come with the new financial clout of the premiership & top14 deals. I had worried about losing players but managers & directors are just as important.
Is it because there are simply too many too comfortable in their roles at Ulster paying lip service to sharing the vision or is it because he has read which way the financial wind is blowing?
Sad day for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant player, captain and leader. He spotted and attracted the best players and brought them to Belfast.
After 91 years you just can’t write off Ravenhill and its rugby history despite new stadium name. More to this story.
But can they afford to let ambition walk out the door?
If David was the director of rugby what was the title for Mark Anscombe ?
Coach
It was probably in the works for a while, but just officially announced today, in case it was a distraction during the tail end of the season. Real surprise though