Monaghan All-Star Karl O’Connell calls time on his county career

MONAGHAN All-Star Karl O’Connell has called time on his inter-county career after 14 seasons.

The Tyholland man was part of the Oriel County’s Ulster winning teams of 2013 and 2015.

He picked up McKenna Cup and league medals and played for the Ireland International Rules team.

Despite only starting to play the game at the age of 17, O’Connell went on to win an All-Star and will go down as one of Monaghan’s greatest ever players.

“Unfortunately, my time has come to retire from the Monaghan senior football team,” O’Connell said in a statement on the Monaghan GAA website.

“The Last Dance Part 4 is the final act for me. Although the decision was easy to make, I still found it incredibly hard to mutter the words to Gabriel. It has been an absolute privilege to wear the jersey and play for Monaghan.”

O’Connell thanked the Monaghan managers, backroom teams, players and fans. There was as also a word of thanks to his club.

“Representing Monaghan wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Owen McNally and Angela McKenna who came knocking on the door,” he said.

“From the committee, the locals, players, past and present, and to my closest friends, thank you so much for your support over the years. It has meant a lot, and I will always be forever grateful for it.”

As well as kind words for his team mates and fans, his family played a huge part in his career.

“This would not have been possible if it weren’t for your belief and sacrifices that was made for me. I will never be able to thank you enough,” he concluded.

Manager Gabriel Bannigan, who has also lost Darren Hughes to retirement, said O’Connell was one the Monaghan greats.

“He is one of the 10 distinguished men from Monaghan to be awarded the coveted All-Star award,” Bannigan said, also in a statement via the Monaghan GAA website.

“What is truly unique about Karl’s achievements is that the man only started playing Gaelic football at 17 years of age.

“To have gone on to play inter-county football from such a late start is a brilliant achievement, but to reach the very highest level and deliver in a Monaghan jersey for 14 seasons and be recognised at All Star level is simply staggering. I doubt anyone will ever repeat this unique record from such a late start in our game.

“It was an emotional call today with Karl, he will miss it and we will miss him. It has been my privilege to work closely with Karl over the last three years, and as was the case with Darren Hughes.

“I am extremely grateful to Karl for his fantastic attitude, the standards he drove in training and in the dressing room and the support he gave me in my first season as Monaghan manager in the year gone by.

“Karl was the fastest player I have seen in the game and holds the record for the maximum speed ever recorded in Cloghan.

“He has been an incredible servant to Monaghan GAA and I wish Karl and his family the very best of luck in the future. All Monaghan Gaels will be forever grateful for what he contributed over the last 14 years.”