Donegal Gaelic Football star Frank McGlynn has announced his retirement.
McGlynn was a promising soccer player in his youth, playing and scoring for Everton in the Milk Cup (now Super Cup NI) in a team that featured Wayne Rooney.
Former All-Ireland winning manager Brian McEniff described him as a “rock” for the county across his 14-year career.
After making his debut in 2006, Glenfin clubman McGlynn (above) won an All-Star and was also nominated for the Footballer of the Year award when Donegal won their second All-Ireland in 2012.
“There was no better man, a rock and totally reliable, he gave some outstanding displays for his club and his county,” McEniff said.
“And even for his club Glenfin against Aodh Ruadh in last year’s intermediate final, he just commanded the pitch like a general and was a brilliant reader of the game. Not only was he a great player but a great person a man of the highest character and integrity and he will be a big loss.”
McGlynn said: “Having taken some time to consider my inter-county future I feel it is the right time to announce my retirement from the Donegal senior football team.
‘It has been an absolute honour to have worn the Donegal jersey for the past 14 seasons. I have experienced so much during my career and I will be forever grateful for this.
“From great victories to heavy defeats, I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have shared a dressing room with some of the best Donegal players ever. There are memories both on and off the field that I will never forget.”