QuoteAw damn it. He was only a couple dozen league appearances off the club record too. Thanks for the memories Tony, and good luck.
According to reports in todays Irish Sun Tony has called it a day...sad day for UCD...great servant to the club and great player for the league..thanks for everything Tony.
Aw damn it. He was only a couple dozen league appearances off the club record too. Thanks for the memories Tony, and good luck.
Confirmed by the club.
A legend.
The article in the Sun (not available online) -
ACE MAC'S DONN IT ALL AT COLLEGE
UCD stalwart Tony McDonnell last night announced his retirement.
The chairman of the players' union, the PFAI, was one of the few (sic) one-club men left in the League of Ireland and made the decision after 15 seasons at Belfield.
He scored 28 goals in 308 league games and is just 13 appearances short of the club record, held by Ciarán Kavanagh.
He said "It would be pure vanity for me to keep playing just to beat the record. Ciarán was a great servant to the club but it was out of my reach and I am not sure it will ever be beaten.
"Fifteen years is long enough. I don't see the point in trying to eke a bit more out of my career to make it 16 or 17 seasons.
" would like to thank everyone at UCD for making my years there so enjoyable but I don't want to outstay my welcome.
"It has become more of a challenge to play in what is an increasingly full-time league and I wanted to go out on my terms."
He added "My body was telling me it might be time. I worked hard on my fitness right in pre-season but I tore a hamstring in the first game, which was a blow.
"I struggled with injuries throughout the season and, towards the end, retiring was on my mind but I didn't want to make any knee-jerk decisions. I have given it a bit of thought and am convinced it's the right thing to do."
McDonnell earned a call-up to the Ireland under-21 squad, while he helped the club win the First Division title [my note - thought this was an error, but then I remembered just how long Tony's been with us!!], achieve their highest league position of fourth - which saw them play in the InterToto Cup - and reach the League Cup Final [my note - two finals, in fact].
But his debut against Longford Town in March 1994 stands out as one of his career highlights.
McDonnell said "The game was at Strokestown Road, and I remember the dressing rooms being what is now the ticket office.
"I was at right back, and I crossed for Andy Myler to score. He was also making his league debut. That stands out, as does coming back from a career-threatening toe injury to be the club's top scorer in 1999/00."
Last edited by pineapple stu; 06/12/2007 at 6:30 PM.
I've only just learned to play "a team of Tony Macs" on the tin whistle.
We can still dream.Originally Posted by Student Mullet
If Tony has a son, I think he should call him Tony.
Terrible pity, thanks for all the memories Tony.
Although is some silver lining.
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
That's what I hoped too but when I went to bed last night there was nothing but an empty gap in my soul that can only be filled by Tony's awesomeness.
A great shame. A LOI stalwart and a UCD legend. Deserves huge respect for his commitment to the club. Even a couple of years ago in our first season back in the Premier he was a great player. Injuries took their toll recently but I thought he could still play solidly at the back, felt he had a couple of years left in him at least. Thanks for the years of effort, Tony.
Who will I hero-worship now? We can keep singing.
"I always likened him to a Rolls Royce. You just used him once a week & he'd be flawless"
Townsend on McGrath
That's sad. Didn't realise he'd been around quite so long: almost as long as I've been watching the club. The lasting memories for me will be his goalscoring streak three seasons back when he tended to get marked by three opponents at every corner kick.
If you look up legend in the dictionary you would see a picture of Tony Mc. Hopefully he'll still have some role in the club.
Wouldn't say even, he was at an age where most midfielders peak. Went on an unbelievable scoring streak and regularly dominated games, which was credited with player of the month and a nomination for player of the season. Was still dictating games up until the start of the '06 season but ever since his first injury that year he has never been the same since. He still managed to reel back the years and produce a performance that any defender in the league would have been proud of.
Cheers Tony, good luck in the future- whatever that may be.
Division 1 here we come
Last edited by CollegeTillIDie; 10/12/2007 at 9:42 PM.
He's on 103.2FM (formerly Anna Livia) from 7pm this evening for half an hour.
That's fair enough. Though would have thought he'd be a bit old for them! The hamstring will get less pressure at a lower level. Best of luck to him.
There's an interview with him in the College Tribune. He says he's no coaching badges yet, but wants them, and that he'd love to come back to the club in some role.
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