By Cian O'Connell

Former Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty has announced his retirement from club action with Crossmaglen Rangers.

Hearty was in Armagh's All Ireland winning panel in 2002 and won six Ulster medals during a glittering career.

A staggering list of honours with Crossmaglen was also acquired by Hearty won won 19 County Championships, 11 Ulster titles and six AIB All Ireland club crowns.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Gaelic Football," Hearty said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.

"The time is right to call the curtain on my 23 season career (1995-2017).

“In that time I have been blessed to have been part of a hugely successful career period for our club Crossmaglen Rangers. "19 Armagh titles, 11 Ulster club titles and 6 All-Ireland club titles is testament to the hard work, dedication and unbelievable commitment by all the players and management that have cycled through the club in this time.

The popular custodian also acknowledged those who helped him throughout his sporting days. “Firstly I will start by thanking my family, my mother and late father for backing me all through the early years and then to my wife and children whose love, support and sacrifice throughout my career I will never forget," Hearty stated.

“Thanks to all the management teams who took time to manage what is a very time consuming job, from Joe Kernan who had the courage to play a young 16-year-old as goalkeeper in his quest to secure a first county title in 10 years for the club right through to Gareth O’Neill today."