Luke Connolly opens up on his decision to retire from club football

Former Nemo Rangers and Cork star talks openly to The Echo on why he hung up the boots back in January

There was surprise back in January when the news came through that Nemo Rangers star Luke Connolly was hanging up his boots.

The gifted forward had been one of the most consistent club players in the Rebel county for many years since he made his debut for Nemo's first team back in 2011.

During his club career, the 31-year-old won five top-flight football championships and two Munster crowns. In 2022, the sharpshooter captained Nemo to their 23rd Cork crown in the club’s 100th year in existence. The Trabeg-based team outfought southside rivals St Finbarr’s, who were reigning champions, in the final on a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-9.

Connolly also wore the Cork jersey with distinction, playing for the Rebels at minor, U21 and senior levels. He departed the Cork senior panel in 2022.

So, why did Connolly retire? For the first time since making the decision, he speaks exclusively to The Echo.

“The call was made really after the semi-final win over Duhallow last October,” the forward says.

“I actually struggled all year with niggles and different injuries so I wasn’t in a great place anyway when it came to fitness, but I played through it. I woke up the following morning after the Duhallow game and I was hobbling fairly strongly on one leg so I went for a scan on my knee. The first specialist was fairly straight, he said it’s time to hang it up. The second specialist then was fairly sure. It came as a shock as I got the news the week of the final against Castlehaven. I pushed it to the back of my head and did what I could to get ready for that game.

“I knew after walking off the pitch after losing the final that I was probably finished. There were seven or eight years where I was fit, going from Cork to Nemo and Nemo to Cork with very little break. I never had serious injuries so this particular injury was probably on the go for a long time. A lot of mileage on the clock that didn’t match my age.

“I went to Australia for a couple of months over the summer this year and I was lucky that way. I told people I was heading to the other side of the world for a while so it made telling people a lot easier as I didn’t stay around for any follow up questions. If I had stayed around, I would have struggled a lot more with my decision to be honest. My retirement has come around a bit quicker than I would have liked. The break away has helped me mentally given I am on the other side of the fence now. It wasn’t an easy decision.”

There have been examples on Leeside where players retired only for medical advice and so on to change, clearing the way for a return, so what are the chances of Connolly ever making a comeback?

“Part of me is quite happy that I am on the other side of it now,” he said.

“I have had a fabulous career. I would like to think so anyway. I am very happy with how it went. If I was to go back, I would be going back for selfish reasons. I would be going back being greedy looking to win more counties.

"Even if I hadn’t won anything, I have played more than 10 years playing at the top level with Nemo, just under 10 years with Cork. I have done everything. The big thing for me was when I first went in with Cork was to prove that I could play for Cork and make the team. When I did that, everything after that was a bonus.

“I captained Nemo to the county in 2022, If I wasn’t captain and finished my career then, I would have still walked off happy. Part of me would love to be still out there playing, but then again, no one gets to walk away from the sport the way they want to. If they do, they are in the minority.

“I am lucky that I am still fairly healthy and can keep my head held high. I love the sport. I would be lying to you If I said I wasn’t interested in going into management. I did a bit of GAA coaching in Australia when I was over there during the summer and loved it. I would like to get involved with the underage with Nemo and give something back to the club.”