TYRONE’S ALL-IRELAND winning goalkeeper Pascal McConnell has brought the curtain down on his inter-county career.
McConnell was between the posts for Tyrone’s 2005 and 2008 triumphs while he was a substitute for their breakthrough win in 2003 against Armagh.
The Newtownstewart club man confirmed to the Teamtalk Mag website that he had always envisaged 2013 would be his final campaign.
“It was in my mind that 2013 was going to be my last season at this level. I had mentioned it to John Devine and that this was my last year and I intended to enjoy it to the full and I did.
“There is a big commitment required in order to stay performing at the top level and I feel the time is right to bow out and start a new chapter in my life.”
Mayo manager James Horan with Pascal McConnell after their All-Ireland semi-final
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
The Newtownstewart club man retires after a hugely successful playing career that also saw him win All-Ireland medals at minor level for Tyrone in 1998 and at U21 level in 2000 and 2001.
“If someone had told me back at the beginning of 1998 that I would go on and win all that with Tyrone I would never have believed them.
“I suppose if I was a bit greedy I would say that I felt that we could have won the All Ireland in 2009 and 2010. You have to be thankful though for what you do win because my brother Finbarr never won an All Ireland medal. He was a big inspiration for me.”
