• 

  General

• Tuesday January 15th, 2008 @ 16:30

COLM FOLEY IS FORCED TO RETIRE

St Patrick's Athletic Football Club are disappointed to announce that 28 year old Colm Foley has been forced to retire from competitive football due to a persistent knee injury.

Signed from Drogheda United as a young player in July 2000, he went on to win a league winners medal in the controversial 01/02 season. Colm played over 200 games for the Saints, becoming club captain in 2004. In 2005 Colm fought back from a cruciate ligament injury to play a pivotal role in St Patrick's Athletic reaching the 2006 FAI cup final. Considered one of the best centre backs in the league, his calm defensive presence and his threat in the opposition penalty area will be sadly missed in the coming seasons.

Colm should have had a considerable number of seasons ahead of him and it is terribly frustrating for him personally and for the club that he is forced into this position.

‘Colm was a model professional at the club' said team manager John McDonnell,‘and his loyalty and consistency is an example that few modern players now follow. Off the pitch, his manner and behaviour was exceptional and made him a joy to work with. I hope Colm stays in the game in some way and he will always be welcome in my dressing room. He can be proud of his contribution to this club and it's a massive disappointment that we are losing him from the squad'.

Colm Foley today said ‘Unfortunately, due to a re-occurring knee injury, I have been forced to retire from League of Ireland football.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone connected with St Patrick's Athletic for all their support throughout my career. Since I signed for the club 8 years ago, I've always been made feel very welcome by the fans and staff and it is with great sadness that I have been forced to retire. I wish the club every success in the future.'

We expect to see Colm at the club's early season's games when supporters will have the opportunity to express their best wishes and to acknowledge his wonderful support to the club.