Former Cork City, Pats and Ireland striker Kevin Doyle retires due to concussion symptoms
Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)
Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect on medical advice due to long-term symptoms from concussion.
In a statement posted on social media, 34-year-old Doyle admitted to experiencing headaches as a result of heading the ball following a number of concussions over his career.
On consulting with medical experts, the Wexford native has made the decision to hang up his boots before the symptoms became more acute and long-lasting.
The news comes as something of a surprise as the striker had been selected in Martin O'Neill's most recent Ireland squad to face Moldova and Wales in October.
“Today I'm sad to announce that after listening to medical advice I will play no further part this season and will be retiring,” Doyle posted on Twitter.
“This year it has been clear to me that heading the ball has become problematic and causing me to have headaches.
“Two concussions this season and numerous others over the years have made this more concerning.
“After consulting the experts in this field, it has been decided that to avoid the possibility of these symptoms become more serious and permanent, I will be hanging up my boots for good.”
Doyle most recently represented Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2015.
The striker signed his first professional contract aged 17 with St Patrick's Athletic, where his long-term advisor Pat Dolan was manager, before signing for Cork City in 2003.
He spent two years at Turner's Cross before signing for Reading in 2005 and helped the Royals to the English Championship title, scoring 19 goals as they reached the Premier League for the first time.
Doyle spent four years with Reading before signing for Mick McCarthy's Wolves, with whom he spent six years before joining the Rapids.
He made his senior international debut in a 3-0 friendly win over Sweden in 2006 and went on to amass 64 caps over 11 years, scoring 14 goals.
