Philly Austin, the longest serving player on the Tipperary football squad that delivered provincial honours last year, has called time on his career.
The 34-year-old Borrisokane man made his debut for the Tipp footballers in 2006 and bows out after incredible service through thick and thin.
Following two years as a minor, Austin was a key part of senior squads that landed two Division 3 and two Division 4 league titles.
After 15 years, which included reaching an All-Ireland semi-final in 2016, he finally gained some championship silverware when Tipp beat Cork in last winter's Munster SFC final.
Coming from north Tipperary, predominantly hurling territory, Austin himself was a deft hurler but his skill, killer speed, work ethic and remarkable engine marked him out as a top footballer.
It was fitting that while he didn't appear on the pitch in the Munster final until the 71st minute, with his very first touch he kicked a vital point that helped Tipperary see the game out on the county’s biggest day for 85 years.
A fine athlete in his youth with Borrisokane Athletic Club, he was a key member of a team that won a silver medal in the U15 mixed relay team at the National Community Games Finals in 2000 and also competed in the 80 metres hurdles final that year.
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Austin, a teacher in Killina Presentation secondary school in Offaly, captained Tipperary in 2012.
Each Friday on the way back home from his workplace, Austin stops at Scoil Mhuire primary school in his native Borrisokane to coach Gaelic games to the children there.
"Goodbye to the Tipperary football family and thanks for the memories," Austin tweeted this afternoon.
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