Kevin Doyle announced his retirement from the game of football on Thursday night with a statement that came to the surprise of everybody apart from those closest to the Colorado Rapids striker.
Doyle was named in Martin O'Neill's 32-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Wales at the start of October, but has instead decided to listen to medical advice which suggests he cannot afford to continue playing.
While that news is both sad and worrying, Doyle's announcement saw an outpouring of appreciation from fans of the clubs he played for during his career, and received some well wishes from former teammates, as well as fans from around the world.
Best of luck in your retirement @KevinDoyle1983 I will see you in Wexford soon for a game of golf..
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) September 28, 2017
Sad to see someone retire under these circumstances but congratulations to @KevinDoyle1983 on a brilliant career. Pleasure to play alongside https://t.co/FPH5s3unyW
— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) September 28, 2017
Kevin Doyle for Reading:
179 games
56 goals
1 league title
1 Player of the Season
Legend #readingfc pic.twitter.com/zJTgCu9sGG— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) September 28, 2017
Genuine tears at this, one of my favourite players growing up! All the best @KevinDoyle1983, and thanks for the memories! #ReadingFC https://t.co/92NggKvbZ3
— Pippa Rouse (@PippaRouse) September 28, 2017
Sorry to hear about the headaches @KevinDoyle1983 but you should have no regrets nor anxiety about your decision. Great career!!! #MLS https://t.co/GiuCe6zkET
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) September 28, 2017
Kevin Doyle pointed the way for a lot of the LOI lads by showing you don't need to go over as a teenager to make it. Proper success story
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) September 28, 2017
What a player @KevinDoyle1983 was for us. Best of luck and enjoy your retirement! #readingfc pic.twitter.com/GvHwvKkMEQ
— Mark (@_One8Seven1_) September 28, 2017
Congratulations on a great career Doyler. Enjoy retirement
— Simon Cox (@SCoxy31Real) September 28, 2017
Wishing nothing but the absolute best for @KevinDoyle1983! Pure class. #thanksDoyle https://t.co/eUjAHQv4NQ
— Wayne Brant (@WayneBrant) September 28, 2017
Sorry to hear mate. You should be very proud of your achievements in the game. Wish you luck on whatever path you choose in future
— Stephen Elliott (@SleevesElliott) September 28, 2017
We are sad to hear the retirement of @KevinDoyle1983 on medical grounds. A great servant to club&country.Wishing him the best in retirement pic.twitter.com/PsrFPRHu8X
— PFA Ireland (@PFAIOfficial) September 28, 2017
Some kind words from #Rapids96 Sporting Director Padraig Smith on fellow countryman Kevin Doyle. pic.twitter.com/9qzg3pWTG5
— Ryan Madden (@Ry_Madden) September 28, 2017
Kevin Doyle has today announced his retirement from football! Top professional while at @Wolves! All the best mate #wwfc
— Tom (@Nuno_1990) September 28, 2017
Sad news @KevinDoyle1983 is hanging up his boots. Thanks for the memories and good luck with the next chapter #COYBIG https://t.co/bDKE88eRZO
— Connor Phillips (@ConnorPhillips) September 28, 2017
Former Wolves club record signing Kevin Doyle has announced his retirement aged 34. He scored 33 goals in 179 Wolves appearances (2009-2015) https://t.co/HYrj2yUeoF
— Tim Spiers (@tim_spiers_Star) September 28, 2017
Wishing @KevinDoyle1983,who spent best part of 6 yrs at Wolves,all the very best on his retirement.Pop in and see us some time Doyler!
pic.twitter.com/ia7jwesDYZ— Wolves (@Wolves) September 28, 2017
The most prolific period of Doyle's career unquestionably came while he was at Reading, where after joining from Cork City he bagged 55 goals in 157 games and was named the club's player of the season in his first year in England.
He was also well loved at Wolves, where although he never managed to surpass 10 goals in a season, he was a hero to the fans for the effort he put in.
For Ireland, he was as reliable a player as you could find as he never gave anything less than maximum effort and spent the majority of time on the pitch chasing lost causes others would have given up on.
A real League of Ireland success story, it's sad to see his career end in this manner but it certainly is a career worth celebrating and we wish him all the best for the future.
