Shamrock Rovers captain Ronan Finn will depart the club at the end of this season and return to UCD for the 2024 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland campaign.
Finn (35) started his career at Belfield, before going on to play with Sporting Fingal, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers.
He collected two Premier Division winners medals with the Lilywhites, but it was at Tallaght Stadium where he enjoyed the most successful part of his career, claiming five league titles over two spells. The Dubliner will lift the trophy again tomorrow after Rovers host Sligo (Live on RTÉ2/RTÉ Player).
Rovers completed their quest for four on the spin last week with Finn confirming afterwards that he would be playing in the League of Ireland next season. But he told RTÉ Sport today that it won't be in Tallaght.
"I'm not hanging up the boots. It was a massive decision for me to make, to decide to leave [Rovers]. The opportunity came to go back and play for UCD and do a Master's.
"It's something throughout my career I've always kept an eye on. I started in UCD. I did my degree there. The opportunity to go back there now and play, and finish with a Master's...
"I could be 37 or 38 when it's all done, so for me it's the right time."
Finn admitted that it was "an unbelievably big decision to make" but he acknowledged that he is looking to the future.
"You're walking away from the romance of the possible five [in a row]. In all my decisions I've made in football, you look at what's coming down the line.
"It's a big call but I think it's the right one. I've such fond memories of UCD, getting my degree when I was 20 and coming into the league.
"An opportunity now to finish with UCD, and to get my Master's, was one I couldn't turn down.
"They could be surprised seeing me walk in," he said of his new team-mates.
"It's a young dressing room. But it's something that I'm passionate about. At certain stages of your career it's not easy to make these calls, but it's the right time."
The Students have spent three of the last five seasons in the top flight but they will be in the second tier in 2024 after being relegated this term.
Finn, who won a First Division title in sky blue in 2009, says he wants to help get College bounce straight back up.
"As soon as you walk over the white line that's just in me, that competitive edge. It's something that I can never come away from.
"As soon as it all starts again next season I'll be ready to go."
Meanwhile, Wexford defender Hugh Douglas has announced his retirement.
The 30-year-old started his League of Ireland career with UCD in 2011, before joining Bray Wanderers in 2015. After a subsequent spell at Drogheda United and a brief return to Bray, he signed for Wexford at the start of this season.
Douglas confirmed his decision on social media, writing: "Time for me to hang up the boots. The mind is there but the body isn't anymore.
"I loved every second of it, I got to share many dressing rooms with great lads and have some good times on the pitch. Thanks to all of the clubs and most importantly, my family, for putting up with me."
A huge congratulations to Hughie on an incredible career!🙌
— Wexford FC (@WexfordFC) November 2, 2023
Thank you for all the years of LOI football across the league, and we were honoured to have you with us in 2023.
LOI legend 🔥 https://t.co/jhcA7ltJ17
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