Derek Kavanagh announces retirement

Cork midfielder Derek Kavanagh has announced his decision to retire from inter-county football.

Kavanagh, 30, won an All-Ireland medal with the Rebels in September and revealed that a constant struggle with injury was the primary factor in his decision.

"It's medical as much as anything," said Kavanagh.

"I've had a recurring hip injury and it's too troublesome to continue, so I rang Conor (Counihan) a couple of days ago to let him know.

"I said at the start of 2010 I'd give it one more year, and the amount of recovery and preparation was almost 50 per cent more work on top of the training commitment itself.

"Am I glad I stayed on? Chalk it down. I knew we had a massive chance of winning the All-Ireland so I felt it was worth sticking with it. I felt we were very close to an All-Ireland and last September was definitely the highlight of my time with Cork."

Despite some dark days during his Cork career, such as All-Ireland final defeats to Kerry in 2007 and 2009, the Nemo Rangers man added that he never really considered retirement until after this season.

"There were games we lost, like finals to Kerry and so on, you'd come into the dressing room pouting and throwing the gear bag in the corner of the room, and in your head you'd be saying 'this is it, I'm packing it in'," he said.

"But a couple of days later you'd be back to yourself. I'd say every sportsman probably feels that way at some time."

Kavanagh paid tribute to the spirit within the Cork camp and was full of praise for manager Conor Counihan and his backroom staff.

"It's a cliché but the spirit was fantastic,” Kavanagh added.

“Fellas were willing to do anything and everything - and they did, you just knew that all the lads were working away on the side, doing extra bits to get themselves right.

"The management were probably meeting four or five times a week, they put massive work into it as well, and because of that everybody was willing to work as hard. I don't think Conor ever had to pull someone aside because of their commitment.

"Everybody put it in because everybody knew the whole panel, players and management, was putting in the work. When you're involved in that scene, with 40 fellas doing that kind of work, it's easy to do it. I wouldn't think one extra ounce of work could have been done during the season."