Republic of Ireland legend James McClean has announced he will retire from international football after next month's friendly against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.
McClean earned his 100th cap for Ireland in June's EURO 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar at the Aviva Stadium, and lined out in both of last month's qualifier defeats to France and New Zealand.
The Wrexham man is expected to be named in Stephen Kenny's squad for the latest international window later on Thursday - but he has confirmed in a heartfelt statement that 2023 will be his final year donning the green jersey.
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James McClean announces retirement from international football
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James McClean announced his imminent retirement from international football in a statement released on social media and through the FAI on Thursday morning.
McClean said that it had been an immense honour to represent his "great country," and thanked coaches Giovanni Trapattoni, Martin O'Neill, Mick McCarthy, and Stephen Kenny for their faith in him throughout his international career.
He finally thanked his wife Erin and his four children for their unwavering support throughout his time with Ireland:
On February 20th 2012, I received my first call-up to represent my country. In all honestly, hand on heart, there are no words that could do justice to that feeling.
Since then, 102 caps, 11 goals and two European Championships.
Now, 11 years later, I have come to a point, one that truth be told you never think is going to come but here we are, where I am announcing my retirement from international football at the end of the 2023 season. I have spoken with Stephen Kenny & the New Zealand match in November at the Aviva Stadium will be the last time that I will celebrate pulling on the green jersey as a player and give me a chance to say goodbye to the best fans in the world.
It has the meant the absolute world and more to be able to pull on the green jersey with honour, step out onto a football pitch - especially at the Aviva Stadium - to represent our great country, standing singing Amhrán na bhFiann ready to go out into battle with your fellow countrymen. Nothing has ever come close. I gave absolutely everything I had of myself to ensure that I did the jersey, the fans and the country proud, and know that I never took it for granted each time. I hope that showed.
It will be heartbreaking not to be involved beyond this year, but I feel now is the right time to step aside without any regrets. I lived my own and every young Irish footballer’s dream - and represented this country with pride.
I want to thank all my managers - Giovanni, Martin, Mick and Stephen - for me giving me the opportunities; all my teammates; the staff, everyone from the coaching staff, right down to those at the hotel who looked after us; you, the Irish fans; and finally, a special thank you to my wife Erin for holding the fort back home with the kids - your unwavering and selfless support has allowed me to make the most of every second of my childhood dream.
Thank you, Ireland - it’s been the biggest privilege and as always, an honour.
McClean's wife Erin shared the statement on Twitter, saying it had been the "privilege of a lifetime" to support James during his 11-year stint as a senior international.
The privilege of a lifetime to be by his side for every single cap. It has been an incredible journey, one that our little family will never forget. 🇮🇪❤️ we love you James and are SO proud of everything you’ve achieved in the 🇮🇪 jersey ❤️ https://t.co/A1RSS9cgLh
— Erin McClean (@Erineyy) October 5, 2023
Tributes poured in in the comments of James McClean's Instagram post announcing his retirement, with Irish sporting stars and international teammates among those to honour a legend of modern Irish football.
Kellie Harrington and Nicky Byrne were among the Irish celebrities to share their admiration for McClean, while Dara O'Shea, Alan Browne, and Jason Knight all commended McClean as a "legend" and "inspiration."
Fellow veteran Shane Duffy commented, "A privilege to play with in the Irish jersey. Proud of you Jim what a career one of the greats. Well done on an amazing international career."
Duffy's long-time centre-back partner John Egan similarly said: "Incredible career in the Irish jersey specail person & team mate an inspiration to everyone well done bud."
McClean has played over 100 times for Ireland, and lined out at two European Championships, playing all 90 minutes of the immortal win over Italy in Lille to qualify for the last 16 of EURO 2016.
His most memorable moment in an Irish jersey came in Cardiff in 2017, when he scored the winner to send Ireland to the World Cup play-offs. Though they would eventually lost that play-off to Denmark, McClean's goal was shared widely as a highlight of his career by fans on Thursday.
James McClean, you absolute dancer. How about that step over from Harry Arter?!? #WALIRL #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/75hDzigE9L
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 9, 2017
A truly special personality, McClean has battled sectarian abuse from fans in England throughout his playing career, and has spoken admirably about his and his daughter's recent diagnoses of autism.
James McClean has been a loyal servant for 11 years for the Republic of Ireland, and there is no doubt he will be given a warm send-off by the Aviva Stadium crowd next month.
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