Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Colin Healy has confirmed his retirement from professional football.
Healy's last game was for Cork City in their 1-0 FAI Cup final victory over Dundalk.
The 37-year-old was capped 13 times for Ireland. He confirmed his decision to call time on his career in an interview with Éamonn Murphy in the Evening Echo.
He played for Celtic, Sunderland, Barnsley and Ipswich in a career spanning two decades.
Healy made over 100 league appearances for Cork City and helped them clinch the FAI Cup last season, Leesiders manager John Caulfield paid tribute on the club's website:
“Since myself and John Cotter came into the club, Colin was a huge player, both on and off the pitch. The fact that Colin had played at the highest level during his career shone through, and the good habits and total professionalism he had were a huge help to us in driving the club forward.
“Colin was always on hand for the younger players, in training, in matches and so on, to give them advice and help bring them through.
“We all remember him for that phenomenal overhead kick in the last minute against St. Pat’s, which will live long in the memory, but over the last three years that I have been here, he made a massive contribution to the club.
“He played a huge part in us returning to European football but, most importantly, winning the cup last year, which he played a huge part in.
“That was a fitting way for him to finish out his career, after the heights he reached as a player, to win a trophy with his local club.”
“He was a pleasure to have around the club and players like that make a manager’s job easy. I speak to Colin regularly and, when the time is right for him, we would hope that he will return to the club in another capacity.
“I know I speak for everyone at the club when I wish Colin the very best of luck for the future.”
