Sean Russell forced to retire as a result of devastating knee injury sustained with Limerick

Midfielder Sean Russell has been forced to retire from football at the age of 26 as the result of a serious injury sustained while playing for Limerick in March.

The midfielder was stretchered off with a serious multiple-knee ligament injury during a 2-0 league win over Athlone Town shortly after signing for the club for a second spell.

Russell cited his "health, physically and mentally" as his priority after his recovery was complicated by the club's inability to cover the cost of his recovery.

He was informed in subsequent months that the club’s insurance wouldn’t cover his medical bills and he was forced to fund his own treatment in an attempt to continue his career.

Fans of the club organised a crowdfunding campaign to help with costs of invasive surgery to correct the issue in October, however the physical and emotional effects have taken their toll.

“I’ve always dreaded the day I’d have to stop playing football,” Russell said on social media.

“[I] just never taught it would come so soon. My health physically and mentally needs to take priority and unfortunately [‘ll] be unable to continue playing the game I love.

“I am grateful for the people I met and experiences I had. [I’ve] met some amazing people and lived the dream. I look forward to staying involved in the game whatever way I can.”

Russell began his career with UCD, breaking into the first team in 2010 and remaining at the club until the end of the 2013 season.

He moved to Limerick and helped his father Martin’s side to secure an unlikely relegation play-off, which they lost, before starring in the First Division-winning campaign the following season.

He spent time in the United States with USL side Louisville City before returning to Ireland with Drogheda United.

After another spell in the United States with Atlantic City, Russell returned home to sign for Galway United, before joining Limerick for the second time ahead of the 2019 season.

He spoke to extratime.ie about the emotional impact of his injury and the subsequent absence of support from Limerick and the FAI in a wide-ranging interview in September.

The company behind Limerick, Munster Football Club Ltd, has since moved towards liquidation and will not enter a team in the 2020 League of Ireland.