Dublin and Ballyboden footballer Colin Moran has become the second high-profile GAA player to announce his retirement from the game in the last 24 hours.
Unlike Cork hurler Joe Deane, however, Moran has taken the decision to step down from all levels with immediate effect because of a hip injury.
Moran recently underwent a hip operation but was still hampered by the injury in a club game last week.
Moran captained Dublin during the 2006 and 2007 campaigns under Paul Caffrey’s and the former Dubs boss today paid tribute to the 28-year-old.
"Colin Moran may not always have got the credit that he deserved outside the Dublin set up but I can tell you he was one of the real team leaders in our camp and was really appreciated by his team mates and management figures,” said Caffrey.
"When I go to talk to young players or underage teams he is a man I always mention. His attention to detail and absolute dedication meant he was a real model and I couldn't praise him highly enough.
"He worked so hard to maximise his ability and he was prepared to do anything for the team - including playing in the ‘new' role in Gaelic football where you are expected to put your body on the line and play as a seventh defender in addition to being the sixth attacker. He even played at full back in last year's Leinster final and this was typical of the man - he would do anything to benefit the team."
Cork full forward Deane won three All-Irelands with the Rebel County and was "one of the top players of all time", current Cork manager Denis Walsh told the Irish Examiner.