After 18 years in a Mayo jersey, 14 of which were at a senior level, Alan Dillon has announced his retirement from inter-county football.
Dillon retires with 8 Senior Connacht Championships, 2 All-Stars, 2 U-21 Connacht Championships, 2 Minor Connacht Championships and 3 Mayo County Senior Titles with his club Ballintubber. There's only one honour missing for the half forward.
In a statement, Dillon said:
Everyone has their time and my time has come…..Today I wish to announce my inter-county retirement from the Mayo Senior Football Team.
Playing the game, representing this team, giving my all and never letting go has meant everything to me. If asked to write a script for my career back in 2003, there is no way I would’ve been able to imagine this journey but now I feel it’s the right time to step away.
The wins and losses will be remembered, but what I’ll remember most are all my team-mates who I can never give enough credit to from over the years. I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red and green of Mayo and have also had the honour of captaining this great county.
Dillon was famed for his accuracy and versatility. The Ballintubber main landed 3-225 across 134 appearances. A pacey wing-forward, Dillon had wonderful composure and a great engine. In recent years he evolved to become an impact sub for Mayo.
One of the best link men to ever play the game, always found time & space on the ball, always stood up when Mayo needed him. Of all players this man deserved to win an All Ireland medal. Loved our battles although he was a nightmare to mark. Top man off the pitch. @Alan_Dillon pic.twitter.com/n3Ju15dc9g
— Aidan O Mahony (@GmailMahony) November 28, 2017
If medals are the measure of a man then Your ahead of the rest of us..If its measured by term,commitment & sheer football intelligence then in my lifetime the best ..Put the feet up @Alan_Dillon it was our pleasure 👏👏
— David Brady (@D9BMayo) November 28, 2017
Current Mayo manager Stephen Rochford thanked Dillion for his immense contribution:
Alan Dillon won the admiration of GAA fans from all over Ireland and he leaves the inter-county stage with his head held high.
As Mayo manager for the past two seasons, it has been a pleasure to work with him and I know that he will continue to make a telling contribution to his club and county in the years ahead. On behalf of the Mayo team and management, I wish him the very best.
