All-Ireland winner Cahill calls time on his Dublin intercounty career

Dublin All-Ireland winner Barry Cahill has retired from inter-county football. His decision was announced yesterday evening on the Gaelic Players Association website.

Cahill made his senior championship debut for the county in June 2002 and played every minute of Dublin’s run that summer to a first Leinster title in seven years and a narrow All-Ireland semi-final defeat by eventual champions Armagh.

Originally selected in the corner, his most customary position was wing back. In the county’s All-Ireland final defeat of Kerry, Cahill was selected by Pat Gilroy ostensibly in the half forwards but to play a sweeping role, which he did very successfully.

Speaking to gaa.ieabout his decision, he said that time pressures had been a major influence in his decision.

“Its mainly the time constraints really,” he said. “On average you’d be giving 25 hours a week towards training, either on the pitch or in the gym six out of the seven days and youre always looking to do a bit extra yourself, and between travelling and everything.

“Last year was my worst year from an injury perspective. I had a lot of niggly injuries and I’d end up training for three weeks and then have two weeks off. I got a couple of injections in my ankles last summer as well that affected me.”

“Having played 11 championship seasons with Dublin, I now feel the time is right to hang up my intercounty boots.” An All Star in 2007, he won eight Leinster medals as well as the All-Ireland. He said that he is concentrating on club football with St Brigid’s.

Barry Cahill By the numbers

1All-Ireland Senior Championship medal

8Leinster Senior Championship medals

1Leinster U-21 Championship medal

1Vodafone All Star award

1Opel GPA Team of Year Award.