Cosgrave retires - Strange timing

MementoMori

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/mhgbcwauaucw/

Cosgrove retires from inter-county football Print

Twelve years after he first broke into the Dublin senior football panel, Ray Cosgrove has confirmed that his inter-county career is over.

Cosgrove, 31, has grown frustrated with his form in recent seasons which has led to a lack of opportunities under current Dublin manager Paul Caffrey.

The Kilmacud Crokes forward made his championship debut for Dublin in 1999 and will be most remembered for his scoring exploits in the 2002 championship when he tallied up 6-23.

Maintaining that prolific form proved a struggle for Cosgrove in recent seasons and with Jason Sherlock holding his own and the emergence of the Brogan brothers, Conal Keaney and Mark Vaughan, he was reduced to bench duty.

Explaining his decision to bow out, the former All-Star said: "I made the call myself. I felt I had to be realistic. All good things come to an end.

"Obviously, I would like to have ended my career on a high but it wasn't to be.

"I have two young children now and the commitment at senior inter-county level is so huge."

Cosgrove insisted he had 'no regrets' about finishing up with the Dubs, with whom he won four Leinster SFC winners' medals in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

His last appearance for the capital side came as a substitute in their recent NFL Division 2 final defeat to Westmeath.

Does anyone else think the timing if this is rather strange - given he's been training with the panel all through the league is it not suprising he has not stayed on for the Championship. If he thought Dublin were going to win an AI wouldnt he stay on? Anyone any ideas?

Tomthepost

Seems like a strange one alright. Sounds like maybe he was going to be chopped for the championship anyway or at least told be was unlikely to get game time.
I sure if 3 or 4 of the Dublin forwards were to get injured he would unretire himself.
I think unfortunately he will probably go down in the history books as a guy who failed to fully show his full potential at inter-county level.
Makes me feel very old. Played u-21 football with him at Crokes :eek:

future_plans

True - but he's had injury problems as long as I can remember him. Even at underage. 2002 was the first clear run he got and he ended up an All-Star. So not too bad I guess. Still reckon he's worth a squad pace for Dublin this Summer though...

aidan24326

He wouldn't have featured much this Summer anyway, best days well behind him. Had one good Summer with the Dubs in '02 and did little else. A one-season wonder.

solskjaer20

Certainly was brilliant in 2002, unfortunately never really backed it up.

Still is a bit strange to quit so close to the Championship. Maybe covering up something more sinister? Wouldn't be the first time pillar fell out with someone.

Marse

Yep Seems to me that lad put in a long seasons training just to bow out now!!!

hunter164

He's past it. Has been for the last couple of years even with Crokes.

yayamark

over rated and passit.

Aran Galactico

Didnt deserve half the stick he got.

Tomthepost

Aran Galactico wrote: »

Didnt deserve half the stick he got.

Agree!

Nordwind

Nah he deserved more than that.

Het-Field

Sad to see him go. I was doing exams, and I didnt know of this until now. I think he was hastily sacrificed in 2006 agains Mayo. He was a free scoring forward who never had a "poor" season for Dublin. In 2003 he had some excellent games inculding Armagh Round 2. In 2004/2005 he was marginalised, and Im not suprised he has jacked it in. 2007 was a no hoper of a season for him