Former Roscommon forward Donie Shine has retired from Gaelic football.
The news was announced by his club Clann na nGael on Twitter last night, confirming his departure from the club scene due to ongoing injury issues.
Clann na nGael would like to advise that our Senior player Donal Shine has decided to bring an end to his playing career due to ongoing injury concerns. #RosGAA (1/4) pic.twitter.com/m3x0NM6K5X
— Clann na nGael 🇺🇦 (@ClannGAA) January 2, 2021
One of the best dead-ball strikers in the game, Shine (31) shot to prominence in 2006 as part of the Roscommon minor team which won the All-Ireland title. They overcame the challenge of Kerry after a replay to clinch their first title in 55 years, and only their fourth ever.
Four years later, Shine’s major breakthrough on the senior front arrived when he posted 0-10 in a 0-14 to 0-13 win over favourites Sligo in that year’s Connacht final. County legend Fergal O’Donnell, who was in charge of the 2006 minor side, also led the Rossies at senior level to their 2010 success.
Injury marred much of the remainder of his inter-county career, but he returned to form and fitness at club level and in 2018 he guided Clann na nGael to the Roscommon Senior Football Championship. Clann are one of Connacht’s leading clubs, having earned seven Connacht titles in the 1980s, a total only surpassed in recent years by Galway’s Corofin.
"Donie enjoyed a glittering playing career for both club & county. He was instrumental in Roscommon Minors claiming the All-Ireland title in 2006. Donie also won 2 Connacht Snr titles & will always be remembered for his man of the match performance in the 2010 Final v Sligo,” his club said in a series of tweets last night.
"Donie had some memorable performances in the Clann jersey, culminating with captaining the club to our 21st county title in 2018. Donie also won the club’s Player of the Year award a record 5 times, which speaks volumes of the excellence of his displays during his career.”
Chairperson of Roscommon County Board, Brian Carroll, also paid tribute to Shine, describing him as "a great servant to our county and his club Clann na nGael," in a statement on the Roscommon GAA website.
"Donie made 72 appearances for Roscommon scoring a brilliant 4-243 along the journey and none of us will ever forget the magical 10 points Donie scored against Sligo in the 2010 Connacht Final win in Castlebar.
"Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and that time has come for Donie. On behalf of every Roscommon person everywhere I want to thank Donie for his dedication and commitment and for giving us all so many great memories along the way. I wish Donie and his wife Deirdre and family the very best of luck and good health in the future.”
