The Eire Óg Annacarty Donohill player has finally parted ways with the county team since his debut in 2009. The highlight of his long career came during the Covid-19 lockdown as he won the Munster SFC final in 2020.

Fox was part of the team that won Tipperary’s first provincial title in 85 years on the weekend of the centenary of Bloody Sunday. That was the forward’s sixth attempt at the Munster title after making it to the crowning game at minor, U21, and senior levels.

Tipperary manager David Power has paid a tribute to Fox after his retirement.

“Brian Fox has been a great servant to Tipperary Football, he has represented the blue and gold with great distinction over the years, he will be a massive loss to the senior panel not only for his leadership on and off the pitch, but he was superb with all the new players that came into the panel, he was always there to help.

“On a personal note, I will never forget his face of pure emotion and joy when that final whistle was blown down in Cork last year, and thank him for all the great memories, he was part of over the last ten years.”

Well done to our senior footballers who have reached the Munster senior football final.

The final score of the game from Brian Fox pic.twitter.com/c6Nm1qsPip

— Hurler on the ditch (@HurlerD) November 7, 2020

Brian Fox also released a statement through the Tipperary County Board. He described is time with the team as an honour and a privilage.

Brian Fox’s statement

“Firstly, I would like to thank all the Tipperary players I’ve shared a dressing room with. The great memories and friendships will always be prized more than any silverware won. I am also very grateful to the various managers and their backroom teams who gave me so much advice and encouragement throughout my career.

“To my club, Eire Og Annacarty Donohill, a very special place, thanks to everyone in the club. We are a small but proud club, and I couldn’t have been prouder to have represented you for Tipperary. I look forward to many more years in the blue and white.

“My parents Kevin and Josefa, who instilled a huge love of Gaelic games in me and did everything to help me try and realise my dream of playing for Tipperary. My siblings Fiona, Karen and Kev, who in no small way helped me develop my competitive nature! And to all my extended family and friends who have travelled everywhere in convoy to support me and made those memorable moments all that bit more special. Thank you.

“I am very fortunate to have had the support of my wife Siobhan throughout the course of my career. She has seen all the highs and lows and often been the sympathetic ear after a tough loss, but that has just made the good days that bit sweeter. Last year’s Munster final victory was obviously the highlight of my career, but getting to share it with her and our two children, Tadhg and Lily, made it all the more magical.

“Finally, I want to wish David and the lads all the best for the year ahead. I look forward to watching and roaring you on from the stands for what I’m sure will be many more great days. Tipp Abu”.

Brian Fox retires today. One of the greats. Always to the fore when I was doing commentary on Tipp games. Always looking for the ball. Always battling. Always trying. Brilliant across the decades since playing minor in 2006. Will make a superb coach pic.twitter.com/Fa8e6QVuFM

— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) November 23, 2021

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Niamh McCarthy has called time on her Paralympic career at the age of 27. The Cork woman was best known as Ireland’s leading discus throwers.

She competed in the F40/41 classification as an athlete with reduced stature.

The discus thrower first broke onto the international scene in 2013 and progressed quickly on the world stage. She secured her first major medal at the World Championships in Doha where she won the Bronze medal.

The Carrigaline native never looked back after that first taste of podium success and replicated it with a World Championship medal in 2017 and again in 2019. McCarthy has also triumphed at the European level as she won silver in 2016 but better was to follow in 2019 when she became European champion for the first time.

Thanks everyone for the kind words over the last days! Tokyo2020 was a whirlwind of emotion but I wouldn’t change a thing! Also want to say a massive thank you to my longtime sponsor @FlogasIreland who have supported me for years and made this journey that bit easier! Arigato! pic.twitter.com/0VQmcla9dy

— Niamh McCarthy (@niamhmacdiscus) September 6, 2021

Her crowning moment came in 2016 when she competed for Team Ireland at the Rio 2016 Games.

McCarthy certainly saved her best for the biggest stage as she produced a staggering throw of 27:05m to record a new personal best in the event which secured the Cork
woman the silver medal.

She now finishes her career with many medals and records under her belt;  two European golds, one silver; one World silver, two bronze; and one Olympic silver. She also owns the European record for discus throw since August 2018 with a distance of 31.76 meters.

What a Games! We will miss you, Japan

Arigatō Tokyo 2020 ありがとう#Paris2024 we’ll be ready! #TeamIreland | #TheNextLevel pic.twitter.com/dDC0l7skaB

— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) September 5, 2021

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The 32-year-old retires as the All-Ireland Championship’s top scorer after breaking Henry Shefflin’s record in the loss against Waterford at the weekend.

Canning broke the record of 27-484 (565) and sits on 27-485 (566) as he steps away from Galway GAA following a 0-9 performance.

The Portumna man helped Galway to three Leinster Championships throughout his career, as well as one All-Ireland title in 2017.

The inter-county veteran also leaves the top level having garnered five All-Stars over the course of his thirteen-year career with his county.

Injuries have hampered the forward in recent years and, after three surgeries in five years, Canning feels he can no longer go on for Galway.

The Galway star told media of his decision to retire this morning at a Bord Gais Energy media event.

“It’s injuries and stuff like that,” Canning said at the event.

“I had a couple of fairly serious ones over the year and even this year alone I tore a hamstring after the Waterford league game and didn’t realise I had it for a few weeks.

“Just a little nick, I’d a partial tear in my thumb as well. My finger, my heel, yeah there are four or five injuries alone this year, niggly ones, so yeah it wasn’t getting any easier for me.

“I think that is a bad way as well, just being there for the sake of it.

“As I said to the lads after the game, Saturday wasn’t the day I was planning to tell them.

“That’s just it, life moves on.”

“I thought it [retirement] might be later on in the year,” he said.

“You were kind of hoping in August time, August 22, All-Ireland that’s your kind of dream isn’t it, but that’s life. As I said, life moves on, that’s just the way it is.

“I am content with it. It wasn’t a thing just because we lost, that’s it. As I said to the boys I wanted to say it then because we will never be in that group again.”

The Portumna star departs the stage as one of the best-ever players to play the game and will be remembered on the level of the likes of Henry Shefflin.

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The Dublin and Kilmacud Croke’s full-back is officially hanging up his boots at the age of 33. Boasting an outstanding career for club and county.

The eight-time All Ireland SFC winner went public with the announcement on Twitter, admitting that injuries were the focal point behind his decision.

O’Sullivan revealed that although he would love to continue playing, the high demands of elite Gaelic football was too much for his body to endure.

pic.twitter.com/6KKSKuExOY

— Cian O'Sullivan (@CianOSull88) June 27, 2021

Cian O’Sullivan Career Honours

O’Sullivan made his debut in 2009, starting in the 2011 All-Ireland victory against Kerry, which was Dublin’s first All-Ireland since 1995.

For Dublin, he has won eight All-Ireland titles, ten Leinster titles, and five National League titles. While appearing in the All-Star team of the season on three different occasions (2013, 2015 and 2017) in his glistering 12-year county career.

He also experienced a successful club career with his native Kilmacud Croke’s. Picking up two Leinster titles, three Dublin titles and topping off his legacy with one All-Ireland club title to his name.

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