Former Gaelic Footballer Pearce Hanley has retired from Australian Football after a successful career that spanned over a decade down under.
The Ballaghadereen native joined the Brisbane Lions back in 2007, making 129 appearances for them before joining the Gold Coast Suns.
He suffered from injury problems in recent years, limiting his game time with the Suns to 40 appearances in 4 seasons.
He doesn't have any regrets about retiring:
"It's been on my mind for a while. It's obviously a big decision, but I am ready for it. It will hit me over the next few weeks when I am not around and I see the boys still playing and even next year. Obviously I have got a lot of friends here and made a lot of friendships that mean a lot to me. So I'll miss that. Great clubs are built off great people and the Suns have that."
Not many Irish players have made it in the AFL, but Hanley followed in the footsteps of Jim Stynes and Tadhg Kennelly by carving out a professional career and a new life for himself on the other side of the world.
The Gold Coast Suns posted a nice tribute on their Twitter page.
After 169 AFL games, former vice-captain Pearce Hanley has called time on his career. As a valued part our footy club over the last four years, we wish him all the best in the future. Go raibh maith agat, Pearce ☘️
👉 https://t.co/7Zl48JrtZb pic.twitter.com/t9NtBaFCYA— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) September 2, 2020
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