Darren Hughes recently brought the curtain down on his county career and now the Farney have lost another veteran player
Karl O’Connell has joined fellow Monaghan veteran Darren Hughes in announcing his retirement from inter-county football after a “simply staggering” career.
All Star O’Connell (37) had taken over as the oldest remaining outfield player in the All-Ireland Championship after Hughes’ (38) decision to call it a day after a remarkable 20 seasons.
O’Connell only took up GAA at 17, but went on to win some of the highest individual accolades in the game as well as two Ulster Senior Championships and represent Ireland at International Rules.
He didn’t make his Monaghan senior debut until 2012 but played for 14 seasons.
Stephen Cluxton has also recently retired from Dublin duty meaning that the oldest player still lining out at inter-county level is Wexford’s Ben Brosnan, who turns 38 in December.
The oldest player in this year’s All-Ireland series still playing is now Galway’s Paul Conroy, who turned 36 back in March. He is followed by Donegal’s Michael Murphy, who turned 36 last month.
2024 Footballer of the Year Conroy debuted for Galway seniors in 2008 and hasn’t missed a single season, with this year his 18th in total, while Murphy debuted a year earlier but was retired for two seasons.
Monaghan boss Gabriel Bannigan praised O’Connell’s contribution to the county’s cause: “Karl O’Connell is one of Monaghan’s greatest ever footballers.
“He is one of the 10 distinguished men from Monaghan to be awarded the coveted All Star award.
“What is truly unique about Karl’s achievements is that the man only started playing Gaelic football at 17 years of age.
“To have gone on to play Inter County football from such a late start is a brilliant achievement, but to reach the very highest level and deliver in a Monaghan jersey for 14 seasons and be recognised at All Star level is simply staggering.
“I doubt anyone will ever repeat this unique record from such a late start in our game.
“It was an emotional call today with Karl. He will miss it and we will miss him. It has been my privilege to work closely with Karl over the last three years.
“And as was the case with Darren Hughes, I am extremely grateful to Karl for his fantastic attitude, the standards he drove in training and in the dressing room and the support he gave me in my first season as Monaghan manager in the year gone by.
“Karl was the fastest player I have seen in the game and holds the record for the maximum speed ever recorded in Cloghan (Monaghan’s GAA Centre of Excellence).
“He has been an incredible servant to Monaghan GAA and I wish Karl and his family the very best of luck in the future. All Monaghan Gaels will be forever grateful for what he contributed over the last 14 years.”
Karl O’Connell told Monaghan GAA: “Unfortunately, my time has come to retire from the Monaghan senior football team.
“The Last Dance Part 4 is the final act for me. Although the decision was easy to make, I still found it incredibly hard to mutter the words to Gabriel. It has been an absolute privilege to wear the jersey and play for Monaghan.
“I would like to thank the managers and backroom teams over the years for their persistence and belief in me that allowed me to become the player I became known as.
“My club, Tyholland GFC – representing Monaghan wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Owen McNally and Angela McKenna who came knocking on the door.
“From the committee, the locals, players, past and present, and to my closest friends, thank you so much for your support over the years. It has meant a lot and I will always be forever grateful for it.
“To the Monaghan fans, your support was always a big help. Through the good or bad times, you were there.
“To my teammates past and present. Thank you so much for everything over my career. The battles, the joys, the lows, the laughter, and the memories. I am glad I got to share them with you.
“And most importantly, to my family. This would not have been possible if it weren’t for your belief and sacrifices that were made for me. I will never be able to thank you enough. Karl. Muineachán Abú.”
Only a handful of inter-county footballers, who debuted at senior level in the noughties remain.
The figure may be as low as three – Ben Brosnan (2007), Michael Murphy (2007), Paul Conroy (2008) and Aidan O’Shea (2009).
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