Ex-Cliftonville winger Marty Donnelly on his Irish League highlights and plans for the future

Former Irish League winger Marty Donnelly will take a ‘timeout’ before deciding his next move after confirming his retirement at the weekend.

Donnelly, who won league titles with both Cliftonville and the Blues, decided to hang up his boots after struggling with his fitness and mobility during a prolonged period of sciatica.

The 33-year-old told Belfast Live on Sunday: “It isn’t easy retiring from the sport you love, but I knew the time was right to step away. I’m happy with what I did in the game.”

As for the future, Donnelly - who will go down as one of the most gifted ball players to grace the local game - is eager to take a break before weighing up his options.

“I don’t know how much I’ll miss playing or what I’ll miss most,” he said. “I’ve just made my decision, it’s all new and I don’t know how I’ll feel in a month or when the new season starts.

“I was 15 when I first went across the water (to Sheffield United) and every day since has been about playing football and having that structure to my life.

“I won’t have that anymore, so it’ll be a step into the unknown. I plan to give myself a couple of months off, step back a bit, consider my next move and maybe look for a job.

“I haven’t ruled out trying to stay in football, whether that’s coaching or something else.

“I wouldn’t mind getting back into coaching, but my plan for now is to take time off, watch a few games at the start of the season and take things from there.”

After joining Crusaders on his return from Sheffield United in 2008, Donnelly went on to win multiple trophies with every Irish League club he played for.

He lifted the Irish Cup and County Antrim Shield with the Crues before winning two league titles, four League Cups and a Shield with Cliftonville.