Shelbourne captain Luke Byrne is retiring from professional football due to ongoing knee issues, the club has confirmed.
Byrne's retirement comes on the back of a season in which he helped the Tolka Park club to a fourth-place finish in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division and a place in the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League for next season.
The former Shamrock Rovers defender joined Shelbourne ahead of the 2019 season, and was a key player in the side that won the First Division title that year.
By the time they won the division again in 2021, following their immediate relegation in 2020, Byrne had been made club captain.
"This is the day I've dreaded for a long time," Byrne told the Shelbourne website.
"After much thought, consideration and talking to those closest to me, I’ve made the decision to retire from playing football.
"It’s been the hardest decision of my life, but at this moment in time it’s the right decision for me. I’ve given everything to football but it’s come at a cost. Years of fighting back from injury and battling through chronic pain has taken its toll. It’s time for me to give up the game I love.
"I have played for incredible clubs and met many amazing people. Luckily some I will call friends for life. I want to say thank you to every coach, team mate, supporter and person who played a part in my career.
"A special thanks goes out to my family, who gave up so much to allow me to live my dream. Without you none of this would have been possible. My dad was my first coach and to this day, my biggest fan.
"Throughout my career there were many highs and lows, but I have no regrets. I loved every moment. Football, thank you. You owe me nothing and I owe you everything.
"This is the day I've dreaded for a long time also," added Shelbourne head coach Damien Duff.
"You are a class act, the best of the best. Luke, thank you. You owe me nothing and I owe you everything."
The news of Byrne's departure comes during a busy week of ins and outs for Shelbourne, with the arrivals of experienced pair Sean Gannon and Keith Ward confirmed earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Byrne's fellow defender Paddy Barrett has signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until the end of next season.
Elsewhere in the League of Ireland on Thursday, St Patrick's Athletic confirmed the signing of Ruairí Keating, who scored 15 goals for Cork City last season, as they were relegated from the top division.
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