CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS GREAT Aaron Kernan has announced his playing retirement from the club game after a hugely successful career.
The 39-year-old featured as Crossmaglen bowed out of the Ulster championship at the quarter-final stage on Saturday night at the hands of Tyrone champions Trillick.
The former Armagh senior defender retired from the inter–county game in 2014 but remained key for Crossmaglen, winning his 18th county senior title with the club last month.
He also added eight Ulster senior club medals and was part of three All-Ireland final triumphs.
Kernan explained today on Colm Parkinson’s Smaller Fish podcast that he had always envisaged the 2023 campaign would be his final one.
One of the greatest club careers ever ended on Saturday night when our own Aaron Kernan played his last game for Crossmaglen.
— Smaller Fish GAA (@SmallerFishGAA) November 13, 2023
23 years, 18 county titles, 8 Ulsters and 3 All irelands.
Aaron joins me on the show and confirms the news
Full show link in bio pic.twitter.com/25zUFe6wTH
The five-point loss in Omagh on Saturday night confirmed his departure.
“Not where I wanted to be, Saturday night just didn’t go the way it was supposed to go,” said Kernan.
“But in terms of it being the end of the road for me, no I had my mind made up all year that this would be it. I’d give it one more go.
“Last year probably I was in two minds over it as well and Marianne at home, who mostly encouraged (me) to go back and give it another shot. But realistically speaking I’m coming 40 in a couple weeks time and it’s just tough to keep trying to maintain the same standards that I would expect of myself 20 years ago.
“It’s tough on the body and you just have so many more things going on between family and work. I’m very proud of everything I achieved, I’m very proud of who I represented.
“Had some unbelievable good times. It was brilliant.”
