Roy Carroll jokingly announced his 'official retirement' after his comeback game ended in injury on Monday.
The 45-year-old goalkeeper answered an emergency SOS call from former club Ballinamallard United for their Championship game against Annagh United.
Injuries and suspensions saw Carroll drafted in by Mallards boss Harry McConkey, but a hamstring injury saw the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star forced off after about 35 minutes.
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Carroll said his cameo was a thank-you to the Fermanagh club who gave him his chance when he was a teenage keeper starting off his career.
Explaining how he got coaxed into action, Carroll told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast: "I was having a bit of food with my brother and his family on Boxing Day and I got a text from Harry McConkey asking what the chances were of me coming back and playing one game in the New Year.
"At that stage I didn't say yes or no. I have had a few teams asking me would I play for them over the past year or two, but the answer has always been no.
"But I started my career off with Ballinamallard when I was 15 or 16 and I didn't want to let them down. So I decided to come back and give them a helping hand.
"It didn't last too long but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed getting back playing again and the banter in the changing room. You miss that.
"I just lasted 35 minutes with my young hamstring. I had a really good warm-up, but I picked up a hamstring injury. I tried to get a second shot but felt it go.
"I was more disappointed for the players and the club. We were 1-0 down and still in the game, but that's football."
Carroll started off his career with Fivemiletown United and Ballinamallard before he earned a move across the water.
He had spells with Hull City and Wigan Athletic before Manchester United came calling. He would go on to win the Premier League and FA Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Carroll - who won 45 caps for Northern Ireland - went on to play in Scotland, Greece and Denmark before returning to the Irish League where he won the double at LInfield.
He went on to join Dungannon Swifts in January 2021 before taking over from Steve Harper as Northern Ireland senior goalkeeping coach that summer. Carroll then took up the role of Irish FA Head Goalkeeper Development Coach last year and has worked as goalkeeping coach with Northern Ireland’s Under 19 and U17 teams.
But even with a glittering career behind him, Carroll joked that it was finally time to start acting his age.
He added: "Your heart tells you to keep going, but your head tells you 'Roy, you're 45 years old. You have to look after yourself'.
"I loved being back in that environment. I trained with Ballinamallard for two training sessions, but that is me finished. No more.
"I started my career off with Ballinamallard, and I finished it with Ballinamallard after 35 minutes. It was nice to get the opportunity to play for them because they did so much for me in my career.
"When Harry phoned me I thought about it overnight and said to Harry I'd play for him for one game.
"That's me done now. I am officially retired from football now, international and everything. But I might play the odd testimonial game."
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