One of the League of Ireland's most decorated footballers has finally decided to call it day.  Ollie Cahill, who played for Bohemians last season, has, like many players in the league, been out of contract since last November but after much soul searching has concluded that his family and the PFAI must come before prolonging his career any further.  Announcing his retirement today, Cahill said:

"I've thought long and hard about it over the course of the last few months and although I feel I still have something left to offer, I've reached a stage in my life where there are other priorities.  My wife and I have recently had our first child and spending more time with them has to come first.  The wages in the league now are so low that it would be difficult to justify playing when I could be at home.  Also, I have been lucky enough to have been working with the PFAI for the last three years and want to concentrate on my job there.  I'm looking forward to having a more hands on role now that I won't be playing."

General Secretary of the PFAI, Stephen McGuinness, who handed him his current position as Delegate Liaison Officer in 2009, following his Cahill's successful tenure as acting chairman of the union, today paid tribute to him:

"Ollie has been one of the League's best ever players.  He has been credit to the league and professional football in Ireland.  Young players could learn a lot from Ollie in how he has maintained his standards over the years through sheer hard work, dedication and a sensible dietary regime.  His record of 41 appearances in European Competition has yet to be surpassed and with nearly 500 league appearances under his belt, he is in that elite group of players that have won a league championship medal with three different clubs."

Beginning his career in England with Northampton, Cahill, 36, returned to play with Cork City, Shelbourne, Drogheda United, Shamrock Rovers, Sporting Fingal and Bohemians.  He won titles with Shelbourne (three times), Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers.  He has also won every cup competition, taking home medals in the FAI Cup and League Cup with Cork and winning the Setanta Cup with Drogheda.

He has obtained his UEFA B coaching badge and may do some under age coaching but has no interest in management at this time. Cahill has been working with the PFAI as Delegate Liaison Officer since 2009 but although the position was a full time one, his playing commitments did restrict his involvement to some extent.  McGuinness says that while today's news is disappointing for supporters of Irish football, it's a great result for the PFAI:

"While we will miss Ollie patrolling the left wing on Friday nights, it's fantastic for us to have a player of his stature concentrating full time on the PFAI.  He has a lot of first-hand knowledge of some the problems that this league has endured over the years during his time with Shelbourne and Drogheda so this experience will stand him in good stead for the future."

* Ollie Cahill's record in the League of Ireland - 488 appearances from 1996 to 2011 and 50 goals

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