Six-time All-Ireland winner Paul Flynn has announced his retirement from inter-county football with Dublin.

The Fingallions forward said that he had been struggling to reach the fitness required to play on at inter-county level and that "while my heart says play on, unfortunately my body says it’s time to call it a day".

The 32-year-old made his Championship debut in the 2008 Leinster semi-final win over Westmeath.

He started the All-Ireland finals of 2011, '13, '15, '16, came on a substitute in 2017 and was an unused sub last year after back surgery in the spring.

He won four All-Stars in a row from 2011-2014, a record only bettered for Dublin by Stephen Cluxton and John O'Leary (five each).

Flynn was appointed chief executive of the Gaelic Players Association last summer.

In a statement he said: "After 12 proud years wearing the Dublin jersey I have made the difficult decision to step away from the Dublin football panel.

"It’s an enormous privilege to play for your county and I feel incredibly lucky and proud that I got to play for Dublin for as long as I have. Dublin football has played a huge part in my life and I will be forever grateful for all that it has given me.

"I was honoured to train and play alongside exceptional teammates week in week out, to have enjoyed the support of extraordinary managers over the years and to have had the support of dedicated, world class backroom teams.

"I’m grateful for all that they’ve taught me over the years and for the lifelong friendships that I made along the way. My football career started and ended with the support of my club, my family and my friends and to them I am eternally grateful.

"Since my back surgery last year I’ve struggled to reach the fitness required for inter county and to reach the standards that I set for myself. While my heart says play on unfortunately my body says it’s time to call it a day.

"I’ve loved every minute of my journey with Dublin football and to have played in front of its dedicated and passionate supporters has allowed me to make memories that I will cherish forever. I move on now with gratitude to the next chapter of my life."