Zach Tuohy has announced his retirement from the AFL, declaring that 2024 will be his last year playing for the Geelong Cats.
The Laois native has had a stellar career 'Down Under', and is without a doubt the greatest Irishman to ever play the sport.
That claim can be supported by the fact that last year Tuohy broke the late Jimmy Stynes’s 264-match record for the most number of AFL senior game played by an Irishman.
Of course all good things must come to an end, and at 34 years of age, the 2022 AFL Grand Final winner hs decided to call it a day at the end of the 2024 season.
"I informed my team-mates yesterday that this will be my last as an AFL footie player," he said in a video posted online by his club Geelong.
"While there's a lot of footy left to play this year, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support.
"I knew when I came to the Cats I was in a for a treat. I don't think I fully appreciated how much of an incredible journey it was going to be.
"There's a lot of work left to do this year but I just wanted to thank you for everything. Geelong - the club and the city - has been incredible for me and my family.
"I consider myself a Geelong person forever off the back of your support.
"2024, that'll do me. Thanks for everything."
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As sad as it is to see the curtain fall on this legendary career, there is a positive element to Tuohy's retirement, and one that will excite Laois and Portloaise fans in particular.
Before jetting off to Australia, Tuohy was an incredible up and coming talent in GAA circles, winning a Leinster minor title with the O'Moore County before moving away back in 2009.
As proud as Laois fans were to see one of their own be so successful, there would always have been a feeling of 'what if?' as they never got see him play for his county and club for a prolonged spell at least.
In 2025, that might finally change.
I will be playing for Portloaise at the end of 2025 because I will be going straight home one way or another. That’s definitely on the cards," Tuohy told The Irish News.
"I am ready to move on and start the next chapter in my life and I will absolutely be playing for Portlaoise.”
It will be brilliant to see Tuohy back in club colours, and although he hasn't mentioned anything about playing county, we would be very surprised if Laois manager Justin McNulty isn't on the phone to him sooner rather than later.
