Former footballer of the year Conroy announces retirement

Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 20:13

Paul Conroy has announced his retirement for inter-county Gaelic football 18 years after making his debut for Galway.

Conroy played 151 times for the Tribesmen with his final appearance coming in this year's All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Dublin.

He first played for Galway in 2008, having captained the county to a minor All-Ireland title the year before. His senior career in maroon and white saw him land seven Connacht medals.

Conroy was part of Galway squads that reached All-Ireland finals in 2022 and 2024, starting in both matches as the team came up short against Kerry and Armagh.

In 2024, the St. James' clubman became just the third Galway footballer to win footballer of the year, following from Ja Fallon (1998) and Declan Meehan (2001). He was awarded his only All-Star in the same year.

"Sin é," he wrote on social media.

"Privileged to have fulfilled a childhood dream getting to represent an amazing county for so many years.

"Grateful to all those who made this dream a reality."

Éamonn Fitzmaurice was appointed Galway manager after Padraic Joyce quit but he will have to plan for 2027 without his talismanic midfielder.

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