THE RETIREMENT of John O'Leary from inter-county football may well prove the beginning of the end of the current Dublin squad. O'Leary, the eldest player on the team that lost to Meath in the Leinster Championship first round last Sunday, announced his decision to retire yesterday after 7 years in the Dublin goals.

O'Leary is likely to be joined in retirement by a number of senior colleagues. Already Mick Galvin has indicated that he may have played his last match in the Dublin colours. "It is unlikely that you will see me in the Dublin jersey again," he said yesterday before refusing to elaborate any further.

Seven of those who played against Meath are over thirty. O'Leary celebrates his 36th birthday tomorrow. The other thirty-somethings are Galvin (34), Charlie Redmond (33), Mick Deegan, who came on as a sub (33), Ciaran Walsh (31), Paul Clarke (31) and Keith Barr (30).

O'Leary made his debut in the Leinster final of 1980 when Dublin were beaten by Offaly. From that day until last Sunday he played a total of 70 championship matches and earned a reputation as being one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game. He won two All-Ireland medals, in 1983 and in 1995, and captained the side on the latter occasion.

Yesterday he said he had already made up his mind before last Sunday that this would be his last championship. "I suppose you could say I felt a little bit emotional as I was running off the pitch after being beaten by Meath last Sunday, but I have some great memories, mostly good.

"I think that the win that pleased me most was the National League final of 1993. We had been beaten by Donegal in the 1992 All-Ireland final and it was great to get back on a winning streak the following year. Then we went on to win the All-Ireland in 1995, so that was a good day as well.

"It was a weird feeling in the dressing-room after Sunday's match. There were 30 or more people there, but you could hear a pin drop. Nobody said a word for a while. I didn't decide to retire because we were beaten. I had a good innings and I was very proud to wear the Dublin jersey. I will be 36 on Friday and I think it is time to drop out of the scene.

He did not rule out the possibility of turning his talents to team management. "I might, but not for a while yet. Who knows? I certainly won't be rushing out of the frying pan into the fire," he said.

Charlie Redmond last night regretted the fact that O'Leary had decided to retire. "I had an inkling that this was going to be his last year before the match and 1 respect his decision. He has been a great servant of Dublin football.

"As for myself, I won't rush into anything and I don't think any of the others will either. I have not made any decision about my own future with Dublin. It is far too early to make a decision that I might regret later," he said.