'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'
Ireland's latest centurion James McClean has announced that he is retiring from international football after the New Zealand friendly at the Aviva Stadium on the 21st of November.Initially called up by Northern Ireland, the Derry-born winger decided to wait for the Republic's call and his Ireland debut came in February 2012 - when he came off the bench for Aiden McGeady in a friendly encounter with the Czech Republic.
McClean made rapid strides at Sunderland and at international level and made Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for Euro 2012, then Martin O'Neill's Ireland panel for Euro 2016."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," said Wrexham's McClean in a statement released by the FAI.
"It has 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.
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