Write a commentDromintee footballer and Armagh County goalkeeper Philip McEvoy has announced his retirement from the Armagh squad after seven years with the team.
In a statement Phillip said "I have informed the Armagh Players and Management that I have decided to leave the Armagh Senior Panel and consequently retire from playing Inter County football. This decision did not come easy but my personal circumstances have greatly changed from last year and this has directly led to my decision.
"Without question I have been given immense support from all teammates, management, friends and family to commit for a further year in 2015. In recent weeks however, I have unfortunately not been able to give my full commitment, which I have utterly prided myself in doing for the past 7 years. This is pivotal to what we strive to achieve.
"With this in mind, and having spoken recently at length with my immediate family, I feel it is now best for me to focus the remainder of my playing career solely with my club Dromintee. I will gladly continue to assist in the development of underage goalkeepers both at my club and within the Simplyfruit Orchard Academy.
"I would most sincerely like to thank everyone who has encouraged and supported me throughout my Inter-County career. Most importantly my wife Majella and my family, who have made huge personal sacrifices and without whose continuous support I could not have realised my childhood dream of putting on the 'Armagh No 1 Jersey' - a true honour indeed that has given me many happy memories.
"On a personal note i would like to sincerely thank the very hard working Team Managers that I have played under and for the faith they demonstrated in me. To all my wonderful team mates over the years with whom I have been privileged to play – thank you for your friendship, humour and incredible work ethic.
"I now look forward to attending many Armagh matches with my young family, alongside the rest of Armagh's fantastic supporters, and cheering on our Team every step of the way, in what I hope will be a long and successful summer for all concerned. "
Armagh Manager Kieran McGeeney in a Statement added "On the retirement of any County Player there is always a distinct sadness, not just on behalf of the player involved but those that were deeply involved with them within that County.
"Over the weekend ’Philly’ as he is commonly referred to, spoke with myself and my Management and informed us that he felt it was in his personal interests that he should retire from Inter county Football.
"Whilst we earnestly tried to convince Philly that he was a very significant part of the County’s future, he explained that he genuinely needed to spend more time with his young family. He had recently requested this and it was indeed facilitated, but he now feels the time is correct to bring down the curtain on his County career.
"On behalf of myself, Team Management and our Players I would like to thank Philly most sincerely for his honesty of purpose, his welcome and intelligent contributions to Team meetings, his constant banter and humour, his willingness to support and encourage other Goal Keeping panellists and in particular his undoubted excellent Goal Keeping talents.
"For over 7 years now Philly has exuded confidence ‘between the posts’ and demonstrated all that is good about an Inter County player. He has had many highs and indeed lows, but his character, commitment and unselfishness always shone through. He was a perfect example of how an Inter County player should operate and accepted encouragement and at times criticism in a most dignified manner. He has thankfully agreed to assist the coaching of the County’s up and coming young Goal Keepers within our Simplyfruit Orchard Academy."
The County board also extended their best wishes and thanks to Philip adding "Philip has been a valued and much respected Armagh player over many years and his decision to step down is received with sadness and disappointment. During his time with Armagh he was an exceptionally popular member of the panel and was always willing to encourage younger goalkeepers. It is a true measure of the man that he has offered to help out with the Orchard Academy and he will no doubt be a valuable asset to Armagh into the future. We wish Philip and his family every success and hopefully we will see him playing for Dromintee for many years to come."
