Heartfelt tributes pour in for “class act” and “pure quality” Andy Reid

It's been coming and yet no-one was ready for it.

It's always hard to say goodbye especially to one of your first loves. Especially when you never got a proper run at it together. Andy Reid and Irish fans could've been a love story for the ages. It nearly was. But it was blighted. By injury, by fitness, by Giovanni Trapattoni. A day after a national legend Shay Given penned a heartfelt retirement letter, Andy Reid was forced to give up his fight and step back from football altogether. Nottingham Forest fans did get to see the best of Reid though. For almost 10 years in total, the Dubliner resided at The City Ground and, in a club career that saw him leave Forest for Spurs, for Charlton, for Sunderland and Blackpool only to return again, there has been no end of plaudits for Andy Reid. Farewell, our sweet Andy. https://twitter.com/heeegons/status/758930109919170561 Some people were worth the trip and entrance fee. https://twitter.com/DylaaanBarker/status/758928185417355265 We all hoped like this guy did. https://twitter.com/jimwilkz/status/758931004710981632 Well said. We always expected more. https://twitter.com/ForestRed1/status/758927799608487936 Real shame. https://twitter.com/KirstyEdwards3/status/758920710307717120 One of the best. https://twitter.com/ajs26061988/status/758931694854348800 The sweetest playmaker. https://twitter.com/marvinclayton1/status/758931468953407488 A class act. https://twitter.com/warrenallsworth/status/758912407867568128 A true great. https://twitter.com/GarethNorris/status/758910015704961024 Thanks for the memories. https://twitter.com/Clarkey_No1/status/758911269596377088 https://twitter.com/Nffcfamily/status/758916720245415936 Listen to our GAA podcast with Colm Parkinson. Click here to subscribe on iTunes. https://soundcloud.com/sportsjoe-gaa-hour/personal-abuse-from-pundits-and-dull-quarter-finals?utm_content=bufferde45c&utm_medium=Social+organic&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer