'The body can only take so much' - Long-serving Down hero Mooney hints at retirement
DOWN'S LONG-SERVING Caolan Mooney has indicated that he is retiring from inter-county football following his side's exit from the All-Ireland SFC.
Mooney made a huge impact off the bench in their preliminary quarter-final against Galway, scoring two points as Down rallied from 10 points down to lose out by just two.
'A journey that started in 2011 when I made my debut for Down, it's it's coming to an end in 2025. To much time on the physio beds this last 2 years played it part as does the essence of time, the body can only take so much,' Mooney said in a statement on his X account after Down's defeat to Galway.
A journey that started in 2011 when I made my debut for @officialdowngaa , it's coming to an end in 2025. To much time on the physio beds this last 2 years played it part as does the essence of time, the body can only take so much. 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/jCDnpYhPb5 — caolan mooney (@caolanmooney) June 22, 2025
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A former minor star, Mooney won back-to-back Hogan cups with St Colman's. He also spent three years on the books of AFL side Collingwood between 2012-2014 before returning home where he resumed his career with Down.
Mooney departs having helped Down to Tailteann Cup glory last year.
Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here

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The 42
5 hours ago
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'The body can only take so much' - Long-serving Down hero Mooney hints at retirement
DOWN'S LONG-SERVING Caolan Mooney has indicated that he is retiring from inter-county football following his side's exit from the All-Ireland SFC. Mooney made a huge impact off the bench in their preliminary quarter-final against Galway, scoring two points as Down rallied from 10 points down to lose out by just two. 'A journey that started in 2011 when I made my debut for Down, it's it's coming to an end in 2025. To much time on the physio beds this last 2 years played it part as does the essence of time, the body can only take so much,' Mooney said in a statement on his X account after Down's defeat to Galway. A journey that started in 2011 when I made my debut for @officialdowngaa , it's coming to an end in 2025. To much time on the physio beds this last 2 years played it part as does the essence of time, the body can only take so much. 🔴⚫️ — caolan mooney (@caolanmooney) June 22, 2025 Advertisement A former minor star, Mooney won back-to-back Hogan cups with St Colman's. He also spent three years on the books of AFL side Collingwood between 2012-2014 before returning home where he resumed his career with Down. Mooney departs having helped Down to Tailteann Cup glory last year. Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here


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