Roscommon footballer Seanie McDermott officially announced his retirement from inter-county football last Sunday following a Roscommon career which spanned 17 years from minor level through to senior, and saw him winning two senior Connacht titles in the process.
He made his inter-county debut against Leitrim in 2005 and his championship debut against London in the Connacht Championship the following month. Seanie captained Roscommon in 2008, and won his first Connacht title in 2010 and his second in 2017. In 2014 he was a member of the Connacht team that won the Railway Cup for the first time in 45 years and was also a member of the Irish Compromised Rules team in 2010. In addition, he has two Sigerson Cup winners’ medals from 2004 and 2005 when he played with Sligo IT.
Seanie released a statement last Sunday bringing the curtain down on a stellar career which included 178 senior appearances in the Primrose and Blue and saw him face every county with the exception of Derry and Waterford: “Today I officially announce my retirement from inter-county football.
“It has been a great honour to play for Roscommon over the past 17 years, from minor level through to senior, and I have been privileged to have met, and played with, some great people along the way.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all players and management teams, past and present, whom I have been involved with and wish them all good health and success in the future.
“I would also like to sincerely thank my club Western Gaels for all their help and support throughout my time with Roscommon, and I look forward to playing with them for many years to come.
“To the Roscommon supporters; a massive thank you for all the support over the years, through good times and bad.
“Finally, to my family. I will be forever grateful for everything you have done for me. Your support, loyalty and understanding allowed me to play for Roscommon at the highest level, and for this, I thank you sincerely.
“I am looking forward to my next chapter in life, as I build on the success of the business I have recently started in Ballaghaderreen, and which allows me to channel my passion and skills as a barber.
“It was a huge honour to play for Roscommon for so long and I have nothing but great memories.
“I am now looking forward to becoming a great supporter in the years ahead”.
Seamus Sweeney, Chairman of the Roscommon GAA said: “Seán’s retirement today brings an end to the phenomenal inter-county playing career of one of our best servants, the longevity of his career is a testimony to his preparedness and attention to detail.
“An exceptional leader on and off the field he helped many new players become settled members of the Roscommon senior panel. Sean only ever wanted to play for Roscommon and made 178 appearances in the Primrose and Blue, a magnificent achievement”.
Gary Jordan of Western Gaels GAA Club stated: “Seanie is the benchmark for all players, his career was so long with unbroken service. (He was) never injured and always available for his club. It’s hard to think that there will be many more like him”.
