Bernard Brogan announces intercounty retirement

Bernard Brogan has announced his retirement from inter-county football. 

Following 15 trophy-laden years wearing the blue jersey of Dublin, the legendary forward has decided to step away from the inter-county scene. 

In a post on his Twitter account this afternoon, Bernard said: 

"After 15 amazing years on the road, now is the right time for me to hang up the boots and retire from Dublin inter-county football."

My GAA career has always been about the journey, not the destination. I have learnt more from the losses than from the wins, more about myself in times of challenge and injury than in times of success"

"I have built lifelong friendships - forged on what we call our battlefield. I will cherish all these memories, and speak about them for a lifetime but not without mentioning those who raised me upward and onward along the way - whose support I couldn't have done without."

"To Pillar for taking the chance on me, Pat for pushing and moulding me into the football I always wanted to be and to Jim for the education and amazing journey we have had over the last number of years. You all know your impact- and I am forever grateful for our time together..

Bernard goes on to thank the Dublin supporters and Hill 16 "for the unwavering support during my time playing in blue and never giving up on me in a blue jersey", as well as thanking the "many Dubs I was lucky enough to call my teammates". 

You can read his post in full here. 

Bernard won seven All-Ireland SFC including the historic five in-a-row.

The superb forward played 116 games in total for the Dublin (league and championship) scoring 36 goals and 344 points (452) making his Dublin's third top scorer of all time, behind Dean Rock (14-419; 461 in 89 games) and Jimmy Keaveney (30-402; 492 in 104 games).

Bernard was Dublin's top scorer in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

In 2009 he scored 2-20 in the SFC and 1-18 in NFL action for a total of 3-38 (47 points) in nine games.

In 2010 he tallied 6-73 in total (3-42 in SFC, 3-31 in NFL) in 14 games.

In 2011 his tally was 3-50 in total (0-29 in SFC, 3-21 in NFL) in 13 games.

In 2013 he scored 5-57 overall (3-19 in SFC, 2-38 in NFL) in 12 games.

While in 2014 Bernard scored 3-27 overall (2-16 in SFC, 1-11 in NFL) in six games.

In the 2015 Championship Bernard was Dublin's top scorer with (6-21, 0-1f), having been second top scorer in the NFL (2-8, 0-1f).

Apart from the seven All-Irelands, Bernard is the holder of 13 Leinster SFC medals, five NFL and four All-Stars (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015) as well as being named Footballer of the Year in 2010.

Tributes have been flowing in for the King of the Hill, with Jim Gavin describing him as "a great leader of the team", while Ger Brennan has also been paying tribute: 

"For me, the one quality that Bernard showed was his desire to improve continuously"

Former Dublin footballer Ger Brennan has paid tribute to his ex-teammate @BernardBrogan, following his retirement from inter-county football. #ThanksBerno pic.twitter.com/whyhkfVaoP

— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) October 24, 2019