REPUBLIC OF IRELAND midfielder Wes Hoolahan has announced his retirement from international football.
Hoolahan is the second Republic of Ireland player to announce their retirement this year as striker Daryl Murphy called quits on his international career last month.
The 35-year-old Norwich City midfield maestro made his senior international debut back in May 2008, a few weeks before signing for Norwich from Blackpool.
He won the last of his 43 caps in the 5-1 home defeat to Denmark in the World Cup Play-Offs in Dublin.
Hoolahan cited the fact that he would be 38 years old by the time the 2020 European Championships begin as the reason for his decision.
Irish fans will best remember Hoolahan for his stunning goal against Sweden in the first game of the 2016 European Championships.
People have been paying tribute to the playmaker on Twitter this morning.
Wes Hoolahan is what we want Irish football to look like. Unfortunately he didn't get half the international career we could have enjoyed from him because of what he looked like.
Small. Skilful. Kept the ball.
Underrated skills here.
Hope we're learning.— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 8, 2018
My favourite Wes Hoolahan story is a Belgian journalist asking @paulohehir about him but misprouncing him as 'Hooligan.' Paul thought he meant the fans, as the Belgian got excited about this playmaking party animal who is not much of a fighter.
— Owen Cowzer (@OCowzer) February 8, 2018
Wes Hoolahan retiring is a shame. Always gave is all and was a good little player. Be a miss going forward 😭 #ROI
— Kirky (@kirky0110) February 8, 2018
Thanks for everything #WesHoolahan.. a story of what might have been. Grossly undervalued by successive Ireland managers, but appreciated massively by almost all Irish fans as a class footballer. Eamon Dunphy, thinking of you today buddy 👊🏼
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) February 8, 2018
In honour of Wes Hoolahan, please enjoy this chap's Wes Hoolahan's chant: pic.twitter.com/corxmlejmv
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) February 8, 2018
