Tyrone's Niall Sludden announces inter-county retirement

Tyrone will begin their 2024 season on Sunday afternoon when they host Donegal in the Dr McKenna Cup. However, for the first time since 2016, the Red Hand management will be unable to call upon the services of Niall Sludden, who has decided to call time on his illustrious inter-county career.

The Dromore clubman had been an integral part of the Tyrone team since making his debut against Queens in the competition in 2016 and went on to make 116 appearances for the Red Hands, scoring 7-92 in the process.

He first came to prominence in a Tyrone jersey back in 2010 as an attacking half-back on the minor side that won All-Ireland honours, defeating Cork in the decider.

He went on to win three Ulster senior medals, but the highlight of his career came in 2021 when he played a key role for Tyrone in securing their fourth Sam Maguire Cup success with victory over Mayo.

His displays that season won him a deserved All Star award. Sludden admits that he thought long and hard about the decision to retire and admits that it was always a dream to play for Tyrone.

Speaking to the Teamtalkmag website, Sludden said: "It was a very tough decision to make to be honest. I discussed it with Brian [Dooher], Feargal [Logan], my family and some former players and they all said the same thing. Take your time and make the right decision. You are a long time retired. During the club season and shortly after it I thought it was perhaps the right time to bow out. Having mulled it over I'm happy enough and content that I have come to the right decision. I’m happy that I don’t have to do all that preseason training!"

"Growing up, it was always my ambition to play for Dromore seniors and that led to a chance to play for Tyrone which was always a dream of