The Omagh native and former All-Star made his comeback for Tyrone in June after spending almost two years on the sideline through injury
Tyrone have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the 2026 season with the news that Conor Meyler has retired from football.
In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday night, the 31-year-old confirmed his decision to step away from Gaelic Football and to “listen to the body” having made his return to county colours in 2025.
The Omagh native, who was a Footballer of the Year nominee and All-Star in 2021 when the Red Hands won their fourth senior All-Ireland title, spent the best part of two years on the sideline after Tyrone’s quarter-final loss to Kerry in 2023.
He suffered a series of knee and Achilles injuries with numerous planned comebacks shelved after multiple setbacks.
He finally made it back for Tyrone in their round three win over Cavan in Brewster Park in June and featured in quarter-final defeat of Dublin, but didn’t play in the semi-final loss to eventual All-Ireland champions Kerry.
A Sigerson Cup winner with St Mary’s in 2017, Meyler also won an All-Ireland U21 title with Tyrone in 2015 as well as two county titles with the St Enda’s club.
In a statement, he said: “As much as the mind still wants to go on, it’s finally time to listen to the body and move on from football,” said Meyler.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to live a dream of representing my club and county for over a decade, alongside some of my childhood heroes and closest friends, whom we’ve shared some incredible moments which I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
“Football has been the most beautiful pursuit and one of my greatest teachers. I have given football every part of me and it has challenged me, taught me tough life lessons, but ultimately it shaped me and gave me every opportunity both on and off the field to become the person I am today.
“From a young boy in Omagh kicking a ball against a wall with a big dream who backed and believed in himself I could never have envisaged how it would all unfold.
“This chapter closes with nothing but appreciation, love and gratitude. A young boy’s dream lived out. A heart full. Excited for whatever the next phase of life brings me.”
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