McGeeney captained Armagh to the 2002 All-Ireland title

McGeeney, whose inspirational captaincy helped Armagh win the 2002 All-Ireland title, has informed his intercounty colleagues of his decision.

The 35-year-old's decision to step away from the intercounty game is not a major surprise but his absence does signal a new era for Armagh football.

Peter McDonnell has taken over as Armagh manager and the new boss may have to deal with further retirements.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on Kieran McGeeney's career

Mullaghbawn native McGeeney has been on the Armagh panel for more than 15 years and he was named the official GAA Footballer of the Year in 2002.

McGeeney claimed his first Ulster Championship medal in 1999 and he went on to claim five more provincial medals as well as three All Star awards.

The centre half-back also captained Ireland's International Rules team last year and he won provincial club medals with his native Mullaghbawn and Dublin outfit Na Fianna.

McGeeney's commitment was a huge factor in Armagh's successes over the last decade.

His discipline off the field was almost as legendary as his tenacity on the pitch.

He's an impossible man to replace Oisin McConville on McGeeney

Indeed, when commentators spoke about the professional approach which had became part of the modern intercounty game, invariably McGeeney's name cropped up.

McGeeney's decision to quit the intercounty scene will lead to speculation that other Armagh veterans may also opt out of the county squad.

These include the likes of Oisin McConville, Paul McGrane and Enda McNulty.

New Armagh boss McDonnell indicated last week that he wanted the experienced men to make themselves available for next season but he may not get his wish.

Oisin McConville described McGeeney's decision as "devastating news for Armagh football".

McConville added that other players in the Armagh squad believed that McGeeney still had "plenty to offer".

"But if Kieran feels that's it, we have to respect his decision," added McConville.

"He's an impossible man to replace. He was the catalyst that brought us on to great things.

"Even as far back as 1999, Jarlath Burns was our captain but at lot of the behind-the-scenes work would have been done by Kieran.

We thought we would always have him around in some capacity as a coach or maybe joint-manager Oisin McConville

"He was an inspirational leader and the driving force behind everything good in Armagh football."

McConville said that McGeeney had been "such a good influence on young people" coming into the Armagh panel.

"Everything he would say and profess off the field, he always delivered on the field."

There has been speculation that the decision to appoint Peter McDonnell and not Paul Grimley to the Armagh job may have played a part in McGeeney's decision.

McConville said that McGeeney was "slightly disappointed" that Grimley was overlooked for the position but the Crossmaglen man emphasised that that the former captain "gets on well" with McDonnell.

"But we thought we would always have him around in some capacity as a coach or maybe joint-manager.

"He's a good character. A lot of people don't see that from looking in because he can be quite serious at times.

"But he's actually quite a jovial fellow when you get to know him. Armagh's loss will be somebody else's gain and every county in Ireland will want to bring him in."

An Armagh county board statement said that they regretted McGeeney's decision adding that "his leadership, commitment and dedication may never be surpassed".

"We wish him every success in whatever he decides to do in the future."