Armagh suffer another retirement blow as Rafferty bows out

Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty ©INPHO/James Crombie

Ethan Rafferty is the latest Armagh football star to call it a day.

The fly-goalkeeper has bowed out, just days after Rory Grugan and James Morgan also retired from inter-county duty. The Grange clubman began his Armagh senior career as a forward under Paul Grimley in 2013 before converting to goalkeeper under Kieran McGeeney in 2022.

Rafferty played in Armagh's 2023 and '25 Ulster SFC final defeats, but missed the 2024 All-Ireland win after suffering an injury earlier in the campaign. His final season yielded an Ulster SFC medal after the Orchard County captured the Anglo-Celt Cup for first time since 2008.

The 32-year-old, who is also an All-Ireland champion bowler, told RTÉ: “I know I’m not one of the oldest, but I have a wee girl at home, a few bits and pieces going on too.

“I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved as a team.”