Tonight, Kevin Doyle announced his retirement as a player, calling time on a career that saw him score 14 times for Ireland in just over 60 caps.
In a statement, the former Ireland, Reading, Wolves and Colorado Rapids centre forward explained that it was due to "medical advice" and that "it had become clear to me that heading the ball was becoming problematic and causing me to have repeated headaches".
Kevin Doyle has announced his retirement. Here's his statement https://t.co/hnaZdNmuNS
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 28, 2017
Leeds and Ireland legend John Giles joined us as always on a Thursday and he lavished praise on the hard-working striker for his contributions for Ireland.
"He's a very good lad and he's been a credit to himself and to the game," he said.
"He's probably the first capped player from Wexford, I would imagine. It shows the spread of football over the years and he's been a leading man in that particular way.
"I don't know but I see him on the pitch and he's very honest, always gave it his best. Very, very talented lad and made the best of what he had. That's all you can do.
"He's honest. I know it's a well used word about players that they're very honest. Well, if you're not honest, then you're dishonest and Kevin was anything but dishonest. He always gave what was his best and that's all anybody can do. If you have the ability and you give off your best, then that's what you're asked to do and Kevin Doyle, anytime I saw him play did that. His attitude was great."
With a strong crop of strikers in the Premier League at the Top 6 clubs, John talked about Alvaro Morata, Romelu Lukaku, Sergio Aguero and co's qualities this season.
