Chrissie McKaigue has retired from inter-county football after 17 years since first representing the Derry seniors.
The Slaughtneil footballer has been a key player for Derry, bringing them from Division Four up to Division One over the last number of years.
The majority of his successes with Derry have come in the twilight years of his career, winning Ulster football titles in '22 and '23, as well as an All-Star in '22, before winning Division One of the National League this year.
He was a starter on the team right up until his retirement, playing in his final game in the All-Ireland quarter final against Kerry this year, where he marked David Clifford, who he also marked in the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final.
McKaigue was renowned as one of the toughest man-markers in the game, both at club and county level but he admitted it in an interview with RTÉ's Damian Lawlor that it was an exhaustive process.
The 2017 All-Ireland club semi-final against St Vincent's was one of his most famous displays as he picked up Diarmuid Connolly, holding the Marino ace to 0-1 while scoring 0-4 himself.
"I found it mentally tough and exhausting to mark those marquee names," he admits.
"I spoke to people that I trusted in how to go about the process and studied lots of video tape and material but mentally it was absolutely exhausting.
"Over a long period of time too.
"I knew the pressure that came with it, but people didn’t really want to know how your body was – they just expected you to churn out personal bests every time you took on a big player.
"And if I am being honest, in the last wee while I wasn’t winning as many of those battles as I once had."
The 35-year-old is regarded as one of the foremost figures in Slaughtneil's rise as one of the country's best dual clubs over the last decade.
He played in two All-Ireland club football finals, losing to Corofin in 2015 and Dr Crokes in 2017, having also helped Slaughtneil to four Ulster hurling titles and three Ulster football titles.
He only played Gaelic football for the club this year, missing out on their Ulster hurling semi-final win over Ruairí Óg Cushendall on Saturday night.
McKaigue said 'the time is right,' to hang up the boots, adding that "getting my body right, embracing all the aspects of modern training and getting my mind right' has been 'hard work.'
Previously a teacher, McKaigue took up a full-time role in the Slaughtneil club last year as their Games Promotion Officer but has since moved into St Pat's Maghera, as the secondary school's academy lead for Gaelic games.
McKaigue says he told the new Derry manager Paddy Tally about his decision. He wished his county well for the future, calling on everyone to row in behind the new manager.
"While his chapter as a player closes," read Derry GAA's statement on McKaigue's retirement.
"There is no doubt that Chrissy McKaigue’s impact on Gaelic games in Derry is far from over. His leadership, vision, and dedication ensure he will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the sport in the county, inspiring generations to come."
