Hunt hangs up his boots

News round-up: Bohemians captain Kevin Hunt has called time on a Bohemians career spanning almost 10 years after he announced his retirement today.

The 33-year-old will hang up his boots with immediate effect, citing family commitments and a string of injuries as the reasons for his departure midway through a league campaign.

The combative midfielder had been with the Dalymount Park since 1998, making 364 appearances and lifting two league titles in the process. But abdominal and foot injuries have restricted his role this season and the struggle for fitness weighed heavily on his decision.

Hunt led Bohs to their first title since 1978 when the club secured the double in 2001 and his influence in the center of the park was recognised two years later when he was named the league's player of the year.

"Everyone at the club will thank him for his loyalty and dedication down the years and wishes him well in his retirement," Bohemians said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Waterford United have announced that all players will take wage cuts for the rest of the season, believed to be in the region of 25 per cent, in a bid to ease the ongoing financial pressures on the club.

The club have given an undertaken to reimburse the players the back pay currently owed between now and the end of the year.

"This is a really positive step and should enable us to put our promotion push back on track," manager Gareth Cronin said today. "The players' willingness to renegotiate terms is a clear sign of their commitment to the club."