Missing men

By Shaun Casey

Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

IN true Cluxton fashion, there was no press release or big interviews, he silently slipped into the shadows. Instead of announcing his retirement, he’s gone straight into coaching and is a member of Ger Brennan’s management team. Cluxton will go down as the best goalkeeper of all time and it’ll be a while before anyone challenges him for that title.

Kieran Duffy
(Monaghan)

THE former Monaghan captain is the more recent retirement from the Farney County. He enjoyed a successful career in the blue and white and his leadership skills and man-marking ability will be sorely missed next season.

Ciaran Higgins
(Armagh)

AN All-Ireland winner with Armagh in 2024, Gaelic Life reported that the Maghery clubman has stepped away from the inter-county scene. In a competitive team, Higgins often found game-time hard to come by always performed when given the opportunity.

Dermot McAleese (Antrim)

IT’s a while since Dermot McAleese stepped aside, retiring from inter-county action once Antrim’s season had run it’s course. A footballing defender, McAleese had been a reliable soldier for the Saffrons for a number of years.

John Small
(Dublin)

SMALL steps away with seven Celtic Crosses in his back pocket, so he can be happy with his lot. A teak-tough defender that was often given the duty of shutting down the oppositions best player, the Ballymun man also rose to the challenge but wasn’t just a stopper, he was a fine footballer as well.

Declan Hannon
(Limerick)

A LEGENDARY figure now not only in Limerick but across the country. He inspired the Treaty County to make history, winning four All-Ireland titles in a row. Hannon retires with five All-Ireland medals – lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup all five times as captain – seven Munster titles, two leagues and three All-Stars.

Karl O’Connell
(Monaghan)

FOR a man that only started playing Gaelic football when he was 17, O’Connell had a career to remember. He won two Ulster Championship crowns with Monaghan in 2013 and 2015, an All-Star for his performances in 2018 and probably should have been awarded another individual accolade in 2023.

Darren Hughes
(Monaghan)

THE old dog for the hard road, it felt like Hughes’ body was going to go on forever. The Scotstown clubman would literally do anything for his team and performed numerous roles and filled several different positions in an attempt to do what he felt was right for Monaghan.

Stefan Campbell
(Armagh)

THERE’S few players that can light up a packed stadium by simply standing on the sideline like Stefan Campbell. The ultimate super-sub for Armagh, he inspired them to All-Ireland glory last year with several memorable cameo appearances and will go down as an all-time great in the Orchard County.

Jason Flynn
(Galway)

AN All-Ireland winner with the Tribesmen in 2017, Flynn recently announced his retirement from the inter-county scene. A member of Galway’s 2011 All-Ireland minor winning side, Flynn made his debut during the 2014 season and steps away having played at the highest level for 12 years.

Jemar Hall
(Armagh)

JEMAR Hall was one of Kieran McGeeney’s most loyal servants for Armagh and was always pushing for game-time, whether as a starter or a finisher. The Forkhill man gave his all for the Orchard County and had plenty of memorable moments. He steps away having grabbed an All-Ireland medal in the 2024 season.

Ciaron O’Hanlon
(Armagh)

O’HANLON was a superstar as a youngster, earning his senior county debut under Paul Grimley as an 18-year-old in 2013. The Killeavy ace was in and out of the squad due to injuries and travelling, but performed plenty of different roles while available and lined out in a host of different positions in the orange and white.

Ciaráin Murtagh (Roscommon)

MURTAGH committed 11 years to the Roscommon jersey and was regarded as one of their best forwards in a team filled with attacking talent. The St Faithleach’sclubman made 122 appearances for the Rossies and won a Connacht Championship medal in 2017 as captain.

Daniel Flynn
(Kildare)

ONE of those exciting players that could always make something happen when on the ball. Kildare maybe didn’t get the best out of Flynn at times although he did turn on the style with plenty of memorable moments, none more so than his goal against Dublin a few years ago.

Patrick Horgan
(Cork)

DOES Horgan retire as the best hurler never to win an All-Ireland medal? That debate will rumble on for years but no one can doubt the commitment and class that Horgan showed during his career with the Rebels that spanned 18 seasons.

LEGEND…Stefan Campbell will go down as an all-time great for Armagh

LEADER…Kieran Duffy spent a number of years as the Monaghan captain