Brian Gartland the latest confirmed departure from Oriel Park

There was an outpouring of appreciation over the weekend for Brian Gartland, after the legendary Dundalk FC defender announced his retirement from professional football.

After signing for The Lilywhites under Stephen Kenny in the summer of 2013, few would have envisaged the 36-year-old Knocklyon man spending close to a decade at Oriel Park.

Gartland was a key figure throughout what was a trophy-laden spell for Dundalk; winning five SSE Airtricity League titles, three FAI Cups, as well as three League Cups. 

Adding to that, he featured in two Europa League group stage campaigns in both 2016 and 2020, and also scored more times than any other defender in the history of the club.

However, a long-running battle with a cruciate ligament injury he sustained at the beginning of the 2021 campaign has ultimately forced Gartland to hang up his boots.

He battled back admirably, and made a return to action this year, but played just six games in all competitions, the last of which was a man-of-the-match performance in a 1-0 win over Derry City on the final night of the season at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.

“It’s been incredible,” Gartland stated via social media. “I gave it everything. I’ve loved every minute of it, and I’ve dreaded this day. I gave it one last shot, but unfortunately after the injury, the body just can’t get back and stay fit enough to do the job I love.

“Sincerely thankful to everyone who played a part, on and off the pitch, especially the fans. Football is nothing without them. The boots are hung up.”

“After ten seasons at Oriel Park, club captain Brian Gartland, one of the greatest players to wear a Dundalk jersey, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36. Thanks for everything,” the club’s official social media channel added in a follow-up post.

Gartland joined Dundalk in 2013, shortly after his contract at Irish League outfit Portadown had expired, and would go on to make over 250 appearances for the club.

Before his two-and-a-half-year stint with Portadown, Gartland’s League of Ireland experience comprised of spells at Bray Wanderers, Shelbourne and Monaghan United.

The veteran joins loan returnees Lewis Macari, Steven Bradley, Runar Hauge, as well as free agent David McMillan on the list of confirmed outgoings from Oriel this winter.

And, it is understood Sam Bone and Joe Adams could both be added to that list in the coming weeks, with Bone pondering overseas opportunities, one of which is a possible move to the Canadian Premier League for the 24-year-old Malaysian-born defender.

Adams is considering a return to the United Kingdom, as Dundalk are not expected to activate the option of a second year on the Welsh U21 international’s current deal.