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faithful servant

One of Offaly's longest serving players has retired from inter-county football

Brian Darby made 86 competitive appearances for the Faithful during his 10-year career.

OFFALY DEFENDER BRIAN Darby has announced his retirement from inter-county football after 10 seasons in the green, white and gold.

Darby’s club Rhode confirmed the player’s decision with a short statement on social media today.

The defender made his senior debut for the Faithful County in 2008 and he captained the county for two years, as well as winning the Division 4 league title in 2015.

He made 86 competitive appearances for Offaly during his career.

“We want to congratulate Brian Darby on his playing career as he announces his retirement from inter-county football with Offaly,” the club’s statement read.

“Brian has given massive dedication to the green, white and gold for well over a decade where he gave many solid performances as a key part of Offaly’s defence.

“We as a club have always and will continue to be very proud of Brian and look forward to his continuous service on the playing fields for Rhode.”

Darby will continue to line out for Rhode, having recently picked up his ninth senior county title with the Village.

Darby follows club-mate Niall McNamee into inter-county retirement, as incoming Offaly manager Stephen Wallace prepares for his first campaign in charge.

Kerry native Wallace, who managed the Kingdom’s junior footballers between 2014-16, has brought in a number of fellow countymen ahead of his debut season.

Wallace’s backroom team includes recently retired Kerry goalkeeper Brendan Kealy as goalkeeping coach, Brian Egan - brother of former Kerry hurler John Egan – as logistics man and ex-Kerry and Laois footballer Billy Sheehan, who comes in as team trainer.

The Mirror reported today that Ruairi McNamee and Ruairi Allen have opted out of the set-up as they’ll spend the next year in Australia, while Clara’s Graham Guilfoyle is unavailable in 2018 due to work commitments.

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