Chrissy McKaigue: Long-serving Derry All Star retires from inter-county duty

Long-serving Derry defender Chrissy McKaigue has announced his retirement from the inter-county game.

The news comes just days after Paddy Tally was put in place as manager in succession to Mickey Harte after an appointment process that dragged on for 129 days, with McKaigue explaining that he wanted to move quickly to inform Tally of his intentions.

The 35-year-old first appeared for the county in 2008 and became a mainstay after a two-year spell with AFL club Sydney Swans.

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He endured some difficult times in the county jersey, but led their climb from Division Four in 2019 as they went on to win successive Ulster titles in 2022, when McKaigue was captain, and ‘23, and then a Division One League title this year before veering off course under Harte.

He won an All Star in 2022 and also hurled for Derry, winning the Nickey Rackard Cup in 2017.

Speaking to RTE Sport, McKaigue said: "The time is right. I have been thinking about it for some time. I spoke to Paddy, echoed my feelings to him early so we both could move forward in our respective future endeavours and I just wanted to have everything straight from the start of the new regime, with no uncertainty and no speculation over the winter.

"It's mid-November and coming out with this decision now with this certainty allows the team and management to move forward.

"Getting my body right, embracing all the aspects of modern training and getting my mind right, it has been hard work over 15 years with Derry. My gut says now is the right time to step aside."

McKaigue admitted that the uncertainty surrounding the manager’s role had been “tough” but he issued a rallying cry to the county’s supporters now that Tally is in place.

“It is now time for everyone in Derry to reunite under this team and management. Time for them to get back behind this team like they were when we won the recent Ulster championships and NFL title.

"I want to see Celtic Park packed for Division One games next season and everyone behind the team for the 2025 Championship. The supporters have to know the energy and inspiration that we felt when everyone in the county was behind us in those recent seasons – and the boys need to feel that again now."

McKaigue will continue to play for his club Slaughtneil, for whom he concentrated on football only this year. He has won 16 county titles (11 hurling, five football) and seven Ulster titles (four hurling, three football).

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