Former Irish international Stephen McPhail has announced his retirement from football today at the age of 37.
The former Leeds, Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday and Shamrock Rovers player began as a youth player with Home Farm before making the trip to Leeds in 1995.
He played underage football for Ireland at under-17 and under-23 level and also made one appearance for the senior "B" team. He played 10 times for the senior side, scoring once against South Africa in 2001.
"Today I announce my retirement from professional football. I have always dreaded this day coming" Stephen McPhail @ShamrockRovers pic.twitter.com/TJgXV68U76
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) October 22, 2016
He released the following statement via Shamrock Rovers today: "Today I announce my retirement from professional football. I have always dreaded this day coming.
The opportunity to play in over 500 competitive games and represent my country has been a dream come true. I am very grateful to have spent over 20 years in football. I owe so much to the best game in the world. I have had unbelievable experiences and hold many great memories. It has really moulded me into the person that I am today.
From my Grandad Paddy bringing me to play for Rush Athletic at 5 years of age to now, I need to thank so many people for helping me along the way. I have been lucky to work with brilliant people at great football clubs.
Most of all I am thankful to my family, my friends, my amazing wife Michelle and my kids Kari and Joel for all their support. I will be forever grateful.
I would also like to thank Home Farm for everything they did for me and Shamrock Rovers for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the last part of my career at home in Dublin. It means a lot.
I hope to stay in the game in the future and give something back that was given to me. It is all I know and love.
Football, thank you for everything".
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