Marty Clarke hangs up the boots

[Mourne Rover]

In response to Ardtole, the relationship was very similar to Ballyvarley/Aghaderg. There had previously been a football club called Kilkeel but it folded in the 1950s. Lisnacree then took over the town's catchment area for football, but the hurling club was still called Kilkeel. The Greencastle club, where Marty Clarke's dad played, was also just outside Kilkeel, but was very short of numbers, so the amalgamation between the three outfits made sense.

The retirement of Marty does not come as a surprise, as he was frequently struggling for fitness and cannot take any risks with his health. However, it is an enormous loss to An Riocht, Down  and the GAA in general.

The best four underage Down players I have seen were Dalsey Mooney, Greg Blaney, James McCartan jnr and Marty Clarke, and, while they were completely different footballers, it would be very difficult to separate them in terms of ability. Greg and James had glittering senior careers but Dalsey's was over almost before it started. We only got two senior seasons from Marty but he was the catalyst in turning a side which was just out of division three into one which could and should have won an All Ireland.

We could  also talk about many exceptional days with Down minors and St Louis, as well as the massive impact he initially made with Collingwood, and wonder about what might have happened if he had avoided such a rare condition, but we should probably be thankful that we had such a magical talent even for a short period and hope that another Marty may eventually appear.

[Armamike]

Wonderful player. A joy to watch.

[trileacman]

A star. Those days at Mc crory and ai minor are probably amongst the highlights, there's something magical about watching raw talent tear it up at youth level.

[ballinaman]

Tore Mayo minors to shreds in 05 final. That was some Down team.

[DownFanatic]

Tore Mayo minors to shreds in 05 final. That was some Down team.

Not one of that Down starting XV from that day is involved with the current Down senior team.

[magpie seanie]

Very sorry to hear his playing career has been cut short. A hugely talented player who I enjoyed watching. Hope his health issues don't impact the rest of his life too much.

[Never beat the deeler]

Tore Mayo minors to shreds in 05 final. That was some Down team.

Not one of that Down starting XV from that day is involved with the current Down senior team.

Sorry to hear that Marty has had to call it quits. Was just thinking about what he was up to yesterday as he was a pundit on Eirsport.

Mayo got Cafferkey, Cunniffe and Chris Barrett from that team, while Pearse Hanley will always be the 'what might have been' category

[Jinxy]

How's the younger Hanley getting on in Australia?

[ballinaman]

How's the younger Hanley getting on in Australia?

Contract is up this year, not known if getting a new one. Arrived in Brisbane after doing his ACL in All Ireland minor semi final vs Kerry in 2014. Subsequently had a serious groin injury off the back of 14 month rehab for his ACL. His brother has moved to the Gold Coast Suns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v4osAcrVyo

[Jinxy]

Sounds like ye will be getting him back so.
Hope he can get over the injuries.
Where did he play before he left, half forward / full forward?

[ballinaman]

Ya, centre forward. The lad could play....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHX5MAvImnU

[highorlow]

At a league game in Castlebar a few years back Marty is taking a 50. He slips on his approach run but it's a split second before he impacts the ball. The momentum allows for a low trajectory that rifles it's way into the top corner of the net. All around are laughing and joking at the fluke except for the Down supporter beside me who says "shur Marty practices that in training all the time".

One of the greats.

[Unlaoised]

Great player ...All the best Marty hope you enjoy your free time ...

Be a good pundit for T.v just fresh out of the game and having played a lot of high profile games in the last 6-7 years!

[RedHandTom]

Saw Martin Clarke in a McLarnon cup final. It was the best individual performance I ever saw on a GAA pitch. Sad to see him retire so early.

[orangeman]

Great player who we probably didn't see the best of.