Despite being named in Martin O'Neill's 32-man squad for the matches against Moldova and Wales next week, Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has today announced his retirement from the game of football.
The Wexford man scored five goals in 25 appearances for the Colorado Rapids this season but has revealed that after considering medical advice he has called time on his playing career, which saw him star for Reading and Wolves in the Premier League before leaving for the States in 2015.
Doyle's statement suggested that issues with concussion due to heading the ball played a significant role in his decision.
Statement on my retirment pic.twitter.com/3dTXdk4EXU
— Kevin Doyle (@KevinDoyle1983) September 28, 2017
Today I'm sad to announce that after listening to medical advice I will play no further part this season and will be retiring. This year it has been clear to me that heading the ball was becoming problematic and causing me to have repeated headaches. Two concussions this season and numerous others over the years have made this more concerning. After consulting the experts in this field, it has been decided that to avoid the possibility of these symptoms becoming more serious and permanent, I will be hanging my boots up for good.
I will take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during my career, especially my family, all the coaches and teammates I've had and the fans of any team I've played for whether in Ireland, the UK or the USA.
I'd also like to thank the staff and everyone involved with Ireland and FAI during my 12 years in the national squad, they have always been supportive and for that I'm very appreciative. I'd like to give a special mention to Mick Wallace and Patrick Dolan who both had a lot more confidence than I did in my ability to become a professional as a teenager in Wexford.
I've really enjoyed my time with the Colorado Rapids and playing in MLS has been a fantastic experience, I would have loved to have taken the opportunity offered to stay for another year. The staff, players and fans here have made me, and more importantly, my family feel at home in Denver and we will miss it.
I'm privileged and proud to have fulfilled my childhood dream of playing for my country. Everything else was a bonus.Thanks and see you in Wexford.
Doyle was a great servant for Ireland, and would regularly make the long round trip from Colorado merely to offer his services from the bench as a backup, so his desire to play for the boys in green is something that won't be forgotten.
During his time in England he was at one point a transfer target for Arsenal and Juventus after he forged a career for himself in the Premier League following a very successful transfer from Cork City to Reading.
The news is a surprise, and the circumstances surrounding it are sad, but we wish Kevin Doyle all the best in retirement.
