Centurion James McClean announces retirement from international football
McClean passed the 100-cap mark against Gibraltar in June. Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)
James McClean has announced he will retire from international football following next month’s friendly date with New Zealand.
The Wrexham wideman - who earned his 102nd cap in last month’s 2-1 defeat at home to the Netherlands - will make his final appearance at the Aviva on Tuesday, November 21st.
McClean informed Ireland boss Stephen Kenny, under whom he made his professional debut for Derry City in 2008, of his decision ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Greece and Gibraltar, for which he is on standby.
The 34-year-old Derry native debuted for his country in a 2012 friendly at Lansdowne Road, a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic under Giovanni Trapattoni.
McClean had joined Sunderland from the Candystripes the previous year and would go on to have spells with Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City.
He joined League Two Wrexham - owned by celebrity pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny - this summer after ending a second spell in Wigan.
He has scored 11 goals at international level, including key strikes away to Austria and Wales that secured Ireland a play-off for the 2018 World Cup and competed at two European Championships.
McClean wrote on Instagram: "On February 20th 2012, I received my first call-up to represent my country. In all honestly, hand on heart, there are no words that could do justice to that feeling. Since then, 102 caps, 11 goals and two European Championships.
“Now, 11 years later, I have come to a point, one that truth be told you never think is going to come but here we are, where I am announcing my retirement from international football at the end of the 2023 season.
“I have spoken with Stephen Kenny & the New Zealand match in November at the Aviva Stadium will be the last time that I will celebrate pulling on the green jersey as a player and give me a chance to say goodbye to the best fans in the world.
“It has the meant the absolute world and more to be able to pull on the green jersey with honour, step out onto a football pitch - especially at the Aviva Stadium - to represent our great country, standing singing Amhrán na bhFiann ready to go out into battle with your fellow countrymen.
“Nothing has ever come close. I gave absolutely everything I had of myself to ensure that I did the jersey, the fans and the country proud, and know that I never took it for granted each time. I hope that showed.
“It will be heartbreaking not to be involved beyond this year, but I feel now is the right time to step aside without any regrets. I lived my own and every young Irish footballer’s dream - and represented this country with pride.”
