Ciaran Kilkenny has announced his retirement from inter county football.
Kilkenny was a key player as Dublin made history by winning six All Ireland Senior Football Championships in a row between 2015 and 2020. He also won six All Star Awards during his playing career.
Having turned down the chance to play with Australian Football League side, Hawthorn in early 2013, Ciaran Kilkenny's glittering career in the blue of Dublin saw him win eight All Ireland medals , as well as 13 Leinster titles and six National Football League medals, coinciding with the county's greatest footballing era.
The Castleknock clubman made his debut for Dublin in the Leinster Championship semi final against Wexford in 2012, before starting their All Ireland semi final loss to Mayo that year. 2012 also saw Kilkenny play a part in his county's Under 21 All Ireland triumph.
Ciaran Kilkenny confirmed the news regarding his retirement, following Dublin's defeat to Kerry in this year's All Ireland semi final.
"It has been the greatest honour of my life to play for Dublin, a dream I've had since childhood," he said in a statement released through Dublin GAA", Kilkenny said in his statement.
"When I turned down the opportunity to play professional sport in Australia, it was because I knew that representing my club and county would always mean more to me. I could never have imagined how rewarding that decision would be.
"I have been fortunate and privileged to share a dressing room with so many legends of the game and I've made brothers for life. To those beginning your journey with Dublin GAA, I hope it brings you as much fulfilment as it brought me. I look forward to cheering Dublin on for many years. A huge thanks to the Dublin supporters, especially this year, for their loyalty and unstinting support".
Mentioning each manager he played under during his inter county career with Dublin, Kilkenny continued: "Thank you to Pat Gilroy, Jim Gavin, Dessie Farrell, Ger Brennan, their backroom teams, and everyone in Dublin GAA who gave so much to the jersey. It was a privilege and honour to play even a small part in the long and storied history of this great county.
"My thanks to my club, Castleknock GAA, where it all began, and to every opponent I've had the privilege of playing against. The friendships, stories and sense of community the GAA has given me are worth far more than any result, that's why I believe it is the greatest organisation in the world.
"Most importantly, thank you to my family and my partner Rebekah. From my father instilling in me a love of Dublin and the GAA, to my mother and sisters supporting me every step of the way, none of this would have been possible without you.
"Mo ghrá sibh".
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Ciaran Kilkenny will undoubtedly be a huge loss to Dublin manager Ger Brennan ahead of the 2027 season, as he becomes the latest high profile Dublin star to retire from the the side that conquered all before them in that glory era.
