Bohemians goalkeeper Shane Supple has announced that he is retiring from football due to a longstanding hip injury.
The 31-year-old released a statement on Boh's website in which he explained his decision to step away:
As of today, I will be hanging up my gloves and stepping away from the game.
This is a decision I haven’t taken lightly but due to a persistent hip issue and, after consultations with medical professionals, as well as those closest to me, I feel I can no longer play to the level needed and, more importantly, that I expect of myself.
I need to listen to my body and can no longer put it through the high level of physical demand required at this level of competition as a goalkeeper in the League of Ireland.
I had envisaged playing long into my 30s and had intended doing that with Bohs – a club that has been so good to me and has given me the most enjoyable years of my playing career.
Sport has given me so much enjoyment from as long as I can remember up to my last game in Dalymount at the end of this season.
Sport has taught me some of the most valuable life lessons and allowed me to meet some great people who have had such a positive impact on my life. I can look back on my career with no regrets and an awful lot of fond memories.
In his career Supple played in Scotland and England with Falkirk, Ipswich Town and Oldham Athletic, retiring in 2009 due to 'falling out of love with the game'.
However, he would be back between the sticks six years later with Bohemians, where his reputation grew as one of the best goalkeepers in the League Of Ireland.
Supple has one cap at U21 level for Ireland but was recently called up by Martin O'Neill for the friendlies against France and the USA, though he only featured on the bench in both games.
