Former Armagh defender Aaron Kernan has told RTÉ that he didn't feel he could "give 100%" next year and didn't want to sign up "half-hearted" after announcing his retirement from inter-county football.
Kernan won four Ulster championships, two league crowns (Division 1 and Division 2) and an All-Ireland U-21 title with the Orchard County, making his debut under father Joe's management in 2004. He was named Young Footballer of the Year in 2005.
The 30-year-old played alongside brothers Stephen, Tony and Paul for the county side, while he has also enjoyed huge county, provincial and All-Ireland success with his club Crossmaglen, who he will continue to represent.
"I met with Kieran [McGeeney, Armagh manager] this morning and we had a good chat about it," Kernan told RTÉ Sport. "I wanted to meet with him face to face, out of the respect I have for him.
"He was probably a wee bit shocked. He said he was disappointed to hear it.
"He said I could have a bit more time [to think about it] but I had made up my mind that I felt this was the right time and I didn't want to be going into it [another year] half-hearted. I'm all-or-nothing.
"You need to put your team number one and with all the other circumstances in my life that have changed, and have started to occupy more time, I just didn't feel I was fit to keep going."
"You need to put your team number one and with all the other circumstances in my life that have changed, and have started to occupy more time, I just didn't feel I was fit to keep going."
Kernan predicted a bright future for an Armagh side that bounced back and reached the All-Ireland quarter finals this season after several disappointing seasons.
"What Armagh did this year was terrific," he said. "It was a nice run. It got us back to Croke Park and created a buzz around the whole county but it wasn't good enough.
"It wasn't where that team wants to go and where Kieran wants to take them to. It's going to take more and did I feel I was able to 100% devote my time to it? I didn't feel the answer was yes.
Kernan had earlier spoken of his pride in representing Armagh in a statement released through the GPA.
"It is obviously a very difficult decision for me but I believe I’ve reached a stage where I need to focus energies on other aspects of my life," he wrote.
“It was a great privilege for me to play for my county for 10 years and I cherish every step of the journey that began for me following our All-Ireland U-21 success back in 2004.
“I am particularly proud to have contributed to my family’s long-standing connections with Armagh football and to have been involved both with my brothers and my father Joe at the top level.
“Having discussed the current situation with my family however, I believe the time is now right to make the transition although I will continue to play for my club Crossmaglen and remain actively involved in the GAA and the GPA.
"I wish Kieran McGeeney and the Armagh team all the best in the future and I look forward to supporting them from the sidelines next year.”
