Former Down All Star Danny Hughes has had to retire from inter-county football after three seasons troubled by injury.
James McCartan confirmed the news following Down's hammering of Louth in Saturday night's Allianz league division two game in Newry.
“Danny hasn’t had a free run since 2010,” said the Down manager.
“He had major groin surgery last year and was a long time getting over that and he’s been fairly frustrated that he hasn’t been able to get a long period of time at training.”
The wing-forward won an All Star when Down reached the All-Ireland final in 2010.
McCartan added: "We did speak a few times early on and he let me know where he stood, so we always knew it was going to be a 50-50 call. We're sad to see him step away but we wish him well."
No way but Down
Down did all the damage in the first-half, scoring an unanswered 1-8 before Louth got their first point in the 23rd minute. Donal O'Hare, who top-scored with 1-10, got the goal after 19 minutes.
Benny Coulter sprang from the bench to score two goals in the last quarter, with Conor Maginn adding a fourth in injury-time.
Louth sub Brian White was sent-off in the 66th minute after picking up two yellow cards to round off a woeful performance which leaves them deep in relegation trouble.
Derek Byrne scored some nice points in the second-half but it amounted to no more than a personal act of defiance, and was too little too late for Louth.
They were disjointed and showed no stomach for the fight after conceding the early flurry of scores which included two from play from Niall Madine and a glut of O’Hare frees.
Louth manager Aidan O’Rourke said: “we set the tone for ourselves in the first 10 minutes.
“We were very sloppy at the start and didn’t read the referee. Those early frees cost us.
“Hopefully we will get a response next weekend [against Monaghan]. I’m sure the players wish the game was tomorrow.”
