A knee injury has forced Cork’s 2010 All-Ireland football winner Colm O’Neill into retirement at the age of 29.
The gifted forward had overcome three cruciate knee ligament injuries in his career, but has struggled all season to get back to full fitness.
O’Neill tore cartilage in his knee in the Munster semi-final victory over Tipperary, though did appear as a substitute in the Munster Final hammering at the hands of Kerry in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
It would prove to be his final outing in a Cork career senior career that began in 2009.
A further setback meant he played no part in the demoralising qualifier defeat to Tyrone.
Speaking to the 42.ie, the Ballyclough man says he informed Ronan McCarthy last week over a decision that was effectively taken out of his hands.
"Unfortunately due to medical advice I have been left with no option but to retire from inter-county football," he said.
"No stone was left unturned to play for Cork but due to recent recurring problems with my knee, a decision had to be made about my future in the Cork jersey."
O’Neill picked up an All-Ireland U21 medal in 2007 and two years later captained the side that defeated Down in the decider, the same year as his senior bow.
A year later came the career highlight as the Rebels saw off Down in the All-Ireland Final.
O’Neill was a substitute on the day in Croke Park, similar to the semi-final win over Dublin where he notched a point and was fouled for the crucial penalty in Cork’s comeback win.
As well as an All-Ireland, one Munster and three National League titles, O’Neill also was part of the CIT side which secured the Sigerson Cup in 2009 and also won Munster medals in hurling with Cork minors (2006) and U21s (2007).
