Decorated Dublin defender Jonny Cooper retires at 33

Seven-time All-Ireland winner Jonny Cooper has announced his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 33.

The Na Fianna defender, who has been a mainstay of the Dublin defence since his championship debut in 2012, said in a statement that the "time is right for me to move onto the next chapter."

"Going to Hill 16 from hip height with my mother had me completely hooked," Cooper said in his retirement statement. "I have had the immense honour and privilege to play on the Dublin senior football team for the past 11 years.

"To the loyal and passionate Dublin supporters. Many times electricity ran through my veins - I have never felt more alive than in front of you. I appreciate this deep connection; your support on the good days and the not so good days is unrivalled."

A dual player at the underage grades, Cooper won a Leinster minor hurling title with Dublin in 2007 before concentrating on football at senior level.

He captained the Dublin Under-21s to All-Ireland glory in 2010 but was outside the fold when the seniors captured a long-awaited senior title in 2011 and was only a peripheral presence in the 2012 campaign.

Jim Gavin's ascension to the post of senior manager catapulted Cooper into the starting XV.

He would win seven All-Ireland titles over the next eight years, as the Dublin side of the 2010s established a reign of dominance without precedent in the history of inter-county football. Cooper was on the starting team in all seven triumphs, usually in the full-back line.

Shortly after winning his first All-Ireland medal in 2013, Cooper was the victim of a knife attack, sustaining injuries to his head and neck. He made a full recovery and returned to the Dublin starting team before long.

He collected two All-Stars,