With a number of players hanging up their boots recently, it is difficult to keep track of who will be lining out for their county sides in 2021. Here is a list of every inter-county GAA player that has played their last game for their respective counties.
1. David Clarke-Mayo
The veteran goalkeeper announced his retirement at the beginning of January following a glittering playing career. Clarke played 133 times in between the posts for his county, making a total of 56 championship appearances for the western county. The Ballina Stephenites clubman won eight Connacht titles with Mayo and two All Stars. Perhaps the latter is his greatest achievement considering he played in an era dominated by his Dublin counterpart Stephen Cluxton.
2. Donal Vaughan-Mayo
Another member of the Mayo side who came so close to ending their All-Ireland drought, Vaughan decided to call it quits on a career which included six Connacht championship victories between 2009 and 2015, as well as 5 All-Ireland final appearances, suffering defeats in each decider.
3. Seamus O’Shea-Mayo
The Breaffy man pulled on the green and red jersey 51 times in championship football for Mayo over a thirteen-year spell. He won seven provincial titles with the county and was part of the team that won the 2019 National League.
4. Tom Parsons-Mayo
Yet again another Mayo man. Parsons claimed three Connacht championships and a National League crown two years ago. The 32-year-old midfielder made 84 appearances from his debut in 2008 until his final game in 2020 but his career was hampered by a bad knee injury he suffered against Galway in May 2018. While he did return to inter-county action more than a year later, Parsons struggled to recapture the form that made him a mainstay in the Mayo midfield throughout the last decade.
5. Jonathan Lyne-Kerry
Lyne announced his retirement after a 9-year association with the Kingdom’s senior set-up. The Legion man made his debut in 2011 for Kerry. The undoubted highlight of his career was winning the All-Ireland in 2014. Lyne scored two points in the semi-final replay against Mayo in the same year.
6. Brian Kelly-Kerry
A fellow clubman of Lyne’s, the Legion goalkeeper had an impressive career in between the sticks for Kerry despite not being a regular starter. The 30-year-old won seven Munster titles and two National League crowns during his inter-county playing days.
7. Shane Enright-Kerry
The corner-back retires on the back of a career most players would envy. With six Munster medals, two National League medals, an All-Ireland medal and an All Star in his back pocket, Enright can retire knowing he is one of a select group of players who have won everything there is to win in the game.
8. Graham Reilly-Meath
The 32-year-old forward was the last player remaining on the senior panel who was part of Meath’s infamous Leinster final victory against Louth in 2010. His last appearance for the Royal County came in 2019 against Donegal.
9. Gareth Bradshaw-Galway
Bradshaw retired after 14 years of service to the Tribesmen. The versatile back won three Connacht championships during his spell with Galway and will be remembered fondly amongst Galway supporters.
10. James Skehill-Galway (Hurling)
Switching codes now, the Galway ‘keeper was a member of the county’s senior panel for fourteen years. He was part of the Galway squad that won Leinster titles in 2012, 2017 and 2018. A towering presence, Skehill was a substitute for Galway’s 2017 All-Ireland final victory against Waterford.
Update: Kilkenny’s Paul Murphy announces retirement after 10 years with the senior hurling setup on 15 January 2021.
