Linfield winger Marty Donnelly has confirmed his retirement from the Irish League due to injury.
Donnelly, who won league titles with both Cliftonville and the Blues, informed David Healy of his decision after struggling to recover from an extended period of sciatica.
The talented 33-year-old had another year of his contract to run at Windsor Park but has opted to step away from the game to protect his long term health.
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“It is always a difficult decision to retire from football, but I have to do what’s right for me in the long run,” Donnelly told Belfast Live.
“David (Healy) told me not to make any rash decisions and I thought a rest at the end of the season might have helped, but it didn’t.
“I tried to run a 5k the other day and nine minutes into the run I was in pain. I thought my leg was going to explode.
“The problem is just getting worse and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to affect my health or physical wellbeing in the long run.
“I had another year of my contract to run, but I phoned David and I told him that I didn’t want to be picking up another year’s wage. That’s not me.
“I decided it was time to step away from the game and end my playing career.”
Donnelly, blessed with a wand of a left foot, will be remembered as one of the most technically gifted players to grace the Irish League.
The former Sheffield United starlet returned home to play for Crusaders in 2008 and went on to star for Cliftonville, Larne and Linfield in the Danske Bank Premiership.
He won silverware at every club he played for, most notably lifting two league titles with Tommy Breslin’s famous Cliftonville side in 2013 and 2014.
He also helped Larne gain promotion back to the top-flight in 2019 and won a third league title as a player with Linfield last season.
“I went to the Blues with the aim of lifting another league title and I managed to do that, despite the fact I didn’t play much after Christmas,” said Donnelly.
“It isn’t easy retiring from the sport you love and I always loved playing football, but I knew the time was right to step away. I’m happy with what I did in the game.”
Donnelly, who was capped by Northern Ireland in 2009, was named Ulster Young Player of the Year that same year. He was also named in the 2020/21 Premiership team of the year.
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