Andy Moran retires from inter-county football

Andy Moran has retired from inter-county football

Mayo's Andy Moran has announced his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 35.

The 2017 Footballer of the Year confirmed that his inter-county career was finished in an interview with Richie Sadlier on the Second Captains podcast.

"My career is finished as of yesterday really. I had a conversation with James yesterday. I let him know that it was finished. I'm now re-focusing and my mind is clear.

"I left the whatsapp groups last night. Some great friends, some great memories. It sounds silly but that was the toughest moment of the lot."

The Ballaghaderreen player made his debut for Mayo against Down in 2003, making 182 appearances for the westerners through a long and storied career.

He won eight Connacht titles and picked up a National League medal earlier this year.

Moran poses with the Footballer of the Year award and his All-Star award in 2017

A hugely influential attacker in the past decade and a half, Moran has six All-Ireland runners-up medals as Mayo came agonisingly short in several deciders.

Moran featured in five of Mayo's All-Ireland final appearances between 2004 and 2017, missing out on the 2012 loss to Donegal after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in the quarter-final victory over Down.

He recovered from this setback to enjoy possibly the best years of his career as he entered his 30s.

He collected two All-Stars in 2011 and 2017 and was crowned Footballer of the Year at the age of 33 after a series of stunning performances late in the 2017 season.

His 85th and final championship appearance for Mayo arrived in Croke Park just over a fortnight ago as their 2019 Sam Maguire tilt came to an end against Jim Gavin's Dublin at the semi-final stage.

He retires as Mayo's record appearance holder, having passed James Nallen's tally in 2016.