Andy Moran calls time on Mayo career after 15 heroic years

Farewell to one of the greatest.

Eight Connacht championships, two All-Stars and one Footballer of the Year later, Andy Moran has called it a day. One of the greatest ever to serve the Mayo jersey, the Ballaghaderreen club man has hung up his inter-county boots 15 years on from his Mayo debut. And what a journey it has been. Ever since 2004, Moran has been front and centre on a Mayo team that has captured the hearts and minds of the nation. Beginning his career alongside fellow stalwarts Colm Boyle and Kieth Higgins, Mayo and Moran would go onto dominate Connacht football over the coming years. They huffed and puffed on the national stage without ever reaching the holy grail but Moran never shirked the challenge and could rarely be faulted. That 2017 season was his best, when inside backs found Mayo's target man next to unplayable. Right up until 2019, the veteran was making a difference though. In Castlebar, he was the game-changer as Mayo knocked Donegal out of the Super 8s. His role was reduced to that of a sub in his final year, but he was always willing and enthusiastic, just as he had been for the previous 15. Speaking to Second Captain's podcast on Monday evening, Moran confirmed he had kicked his last ball in the green and red. "The football side of it is over for me," he said to Richie Sadlier. "Had a conversation with James yesterday and let him know that it was finished. My mind is clear now, I left the WhatsApp group last night, some great friends, some great memories - that was probably the toughest moment of the whole lot. It was tough last night"   https://twitter.com/SecondCaptains/status/1166038779804733440