18 GAA players we’ll miss watching in 2016

And now the end is near.

Retiring is never easy for the sportsperson, but no-one ever thinks of that lonely fan stuck with a tattoo of John Mullane for the rest of their life after they announce their inter-county career is over. Sportspeople's departures from the biggest stage affects everyone a little differently, and in 2015 we have waved goodbye to so many great men and women who will never wear county - or in some cases club - colours again. Alan Brogan (Dublin) He quits the Dublin senior side with three All-Ireland medals but soldiered in a relatively barren period for Dublin for more than half of his 14-year career. One of the best forwards of his generation, the tribute from a man who faced him more often than most was perfect. https://twitter.com/osemarc2/status/676743698890301444 Lar Corbett (Tipperary) The former hurler of the year called it quits again in 2015 and this time it's for good. Eamon O'Shea opened his potential through slick movement and forward interchange, and his hat-trick in 2010 will forever make him a Premier legend. Tommy Walsh of course will be always mentioned in the same breath as him too. https://twitter.com/LiamLsheedy/status/667991794798501889 Anna Geary (Cork) The former Cork captain quit the sport arguably at the peak of her powers. A legend of camogie as well as a fans' favourite means she is destined to become an advocate for Irish women's sport in years to come. https://twitter.com/Ellen2me/status/595705377792126976 Alan Byrne (Wicklow) It wasn't all big names that quit. Wicklow hero and veteran Alan Byrne also left behind the inter-county scene in 2015. His presence will be missed, but so will the best nickname in all of the GAA https://twitter.com/TheSluman13/status/670191474026377216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Conor O' Mahony (Tipperary) Unlucky to only win one All-Ireland medal when his talent deserved so many more. Not many tougher players have ever worn the blue and gold, you know you've made it when Eddie Brennan pays you this compliment https://twitter.com/NedzerB13/status/665134343883325440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Padraig Joyce (Galway) Left-footed by birth and by trade, his finest moment was in 2001 All-Ireland final when he kicked a point off his right under the nose of Darren Fay. Powerful and classy, Galway football's modern day prince. https://twitter.com/Inphosports/status/668810141895155713 Damien Hayes (Galway) If he had been born ten years earlier, or maybe even five years later, Hayes would certainly have an All-Ireland medal. Talent to burn, skill and a daring fearlessness that lit up Croke Park on so many occasions. Loved playing Kilkenny; they hated facing him. He wasn't bad against Cork either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr0dsh4AfZQ Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry) His final act as a footballer was to help his team win a Kerry senior title. Shocking to think he is only 31 and totally finished with football. Once booed by his own fans, but still collected Sam Maguire in the same autumn. https://twitter.com/SuibhneGeilt1/status/676737622438510592 James Woodlock (Tipperary)  We are still struggling to really explain why the Kilkenny based Garda quit the Tipperary panel. A wonderful engine and ability to get scores, his wristy style of hurling will be missed, as well as his aggression. https://twitter.com/johnodwyer14/status/667137833912672257 Rory Jacob (Wexford)  Brian Cody's reign as Kilkenny manger meant an awful lot of hurlers rarely got a chance at Leinster success. Jacob did get his hands on Bob O'Keefe, but only once, in 2004. Great hands as well as the ability to pick off key scores, in his prime a key man for the Yellowbellies. Paul Barden (Longford) The second last man to play football in the 1990s (Dick Clerkin debuted in 1999) called it quits earlier this year after injury finally claimed him from the inter-county scene. A legend in Longford and the GAA in general. https://twitter.com/tomas5ky/status/562897246568845312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Niall Moran (Limerick) Not an unexpected retirement after he was subbed in the National League game against Waterford in the spring, the Ahane man stepped away after admitting the pace of hurling had gone beyond him in his second spell with the Shannonsiders. https://twitter.com/SeanKellyMEP/status/568552406084141057 Ger Brennan (Dublin) Another player whose career ended too early due to injury. He is now in the role of the late Dave Billings at UCD, the teak-tough defender was arguably a player who would have easily fitted into the no-nonsense Dubs teams of the 1970s and 80s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5At67Lol2A Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)  The 'King' hung up his Kilkenny hurl after months of speculation in the spring, but did still turn out for his club Ballyhale later in 2015. Croke Park may never see him again, but for the dozens of time he graced its sod, his feats of skill, and pure bull thickness at times, won't be forgotten. https://twitter.com/MarkMcHugh1/status/580706908220329985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Paul Curran (Tipperary) Cut by Eamon O'Shea after the league, the 33-year made his decision to quit inter county hurling public in May. Another who was unfortunate to only finish his career with one All-Ireland medal, he quickly made the move to O'Shea's backroom team as a defensive coach. https://twitter.com/normaxx07/status/594056568846557184 Gary Connaughton (Westmeath) He came out of retirement and then retired again in the space of a few months for his native Westmeath, the legendary goalkeeper answered the call of his  county in a time of need. The last of a dying breed of the charismatic but brilliant GAA 'keepers. https://twitter.com/gaelicgame1884/status/672753367035326464 Stephen Lucey (Limerick)  The 35-year was one of the few dual players left in GAA but the Croom man leaves behind a 17 -year career with his native county. Suffered devastating losses at the hands of Kerry in the mid 2000s in football, while  in 2007 he lost a Munster and All-Ireland final with the hurlers. One of the best defenders in Munster for a decade. https://twitter.com/olmorfs/status/669287843446054913 Kevin Reilly (Meath) The former Meath captain quit in October as his time for the Royals ended with a whimper and was yet another who bowed out primarily due to injury. Made his debut straight out of minor and claimed a Leinster title in 2010.