Dublin legend Bernard Brogan knew it was time to hang up his boots as he said farewell to fans on the Late Late Show on Friday night.
Brogan called time on a glittering inter-county career this week after winning seven All-Ireland senior medals, amongst a raft of honours.
"I held on as long as I could, but at 35 it was time to let go," he admitted.
"I kind of knew throughout the year that this was a bit of a bonus year for me.
"At the start of the year I had a bit of a chat with Jim (Gavin, Dublin manager) to see if I could offer something.
"I always said that I'll stay until I feel I can offer something or until the management team feel I can offer something that another lad can’t.
"I still feel I had the energy and I had the spark.
"I got a bad injury last year. I was moving really well and it took me out the whole year, more or less."
Recognised as the one of the greatest players Dublin has produced, Brogan had to make do with a very limited role in recent seasons.
And the forward was a surprise omission from the match-day squad for this year's final against Kerry on the first weekend of September.
He did make the 26-man panel for the replay but didn't get on the pitch as the Dubs delivered a historic fifth consecutive All-Ireland title.
Brogan added: "As much as I would have loved to have got on at the end and got a few minutes, and it would have been a lovely send-off to play a few minutes, I’ve done so much with Dublin and had so many amazing days that even just getting back on the bus and being with the lads on that historic day, was enough for me."
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